It is with complete dismay and disgust with our legal system that I write this letter regarding the recent release of former Henryville Funeral Director Rick Pyke into a home incarceration program.
Pyke was arrested in 2010 and charged with insurance fraud (cashing death policies of the living), providing erroneous cremated ashes, mishandling human and pet remains (reportedly decomposing bodies were found with insect infestation) and failing to provide burial plots and cemetery markers. At the time of Pyke’s arrest, the media reported that if convicted on all charges, Pyke could receive a sentence of well more than 100 years in prison.
Interestingly, on June 25, 2012, after pleading guilty to 61 charges, reports indicate Pyke would only be required to serve an estimated 9 to 10 more months in jail. Surprisingly, court records reveal that on July 9, 2012, Clark County Judge Vicki Carmichael released Pyke into a home incarceration program based on time served, good behavior and restitution payments. Pyke’s release was not widely disclosed.
This case has become personal to my family. My father passed away July 15, 2005, and was supposedly cremated by Pyke on July 16, 2005. My family will never know with any certainty if the remains buried July 17, 2005, at the cemetery are those of our beloved father. Sadly, our story is not unique. Most likely, there are many more victims and families that have been subjected to Pyke’s illegal business dealings. As a result, many families in the community live with similar unanswered questions.
We followed this case closely and watched continuance after continuance granted by the court, obviously buying Pyke easy time in the local jail.
Pyke pled guilty to 61 criminal counts and spent an estimated 803 days in jail. Clearly the message to society, and particularly funeral directors in Clark County is: “Go ahead — break the law, you will only receive a mere 13 days jail time for each count.”
What a sad realization. In my opinion, this is a huge disgrace and miscarriage of justice.
Our family took satisfaction in believing Pyke would most likely not see the light of day again for his actions. How wrong we were. It is our opinion that Pyke emerged from this victoriously, reaping the benefits of a justice system so severely broken.
— Bonnie Martin, daughter; the family of Charles J. “Joe” New
Opinions
July 28, 2012
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HOWEY: Where the buck stops
Mr. President, the buck stops with you.
President Truman set that standard, with these very words posted on a sign on his Oval Office desk. -
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NASH: 1,000 miles, one step at a time
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MAY: Simply Stated
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