John Singleton Not In A Coma, According To Daughter

By Chantilly Post

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images 

 

Cleopatra Singelton's taking a stand for her father.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

John Singleton's admittance to the hospital is now bringing on some complicated family matters. As we posted yesterday, the famed movie director was reported to be in a coma after suffering a stroke in the hospital. John's mother, Sheila Ward, was petitioning to be her son's temporary conservator so she could handle some of the lucrative business deals he reportedly had going.

It looks as though things have taken an interesting turn, since John's daughter Cleopatra has now stated that her father is by no means in a coma, detailing how he's “progressing every day," The Blast reports.

Cleopatra thinks her father could be out of the ICU in five days and says he's breathing on his own and “is only medically sedated to keep his blood pressure low and allow the vessels in his brain to heal.” She adds that he's even smiled on a few occasions.

When it comes to Sheila, Cleopatra is fighting to make sure her grandmother is not John's conservator stating that she plans to abuse her power and liquidate his assets. Apparently, Sheila is already John's personal and business manager and Cleopatra believes someone such as John's grandfather or brother should take the role of the conservator.

Full Article & Source:
John Singleton Not In A Coma, According To Daughter

Settlement Reached in Conway Conservatorship Spat

Tim Conway’s wife and daughter settled their differences over whether the entertainer should be placed under a conservatorship, attorneys told a judge Tuesday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Cowan was informed during a hearing Tuesday that the issues were resolved prior to Tuesday’s hearing. No details could be immediately ascertained.

Michael Harris, Conway’s court-appointed attorney, stated in court papers filed March 20 seeking fees for his work that the case was settled during a final mediation session on March 13.

Kelly Conway maintained her 85-year-old father has dementia and that she should be named his permanent conservator. Charlene Conway said her husband did not need to be placed under a conservatorship, but that if a judge decided he needed such protection, she should be the person selected as conservator.

On Sept. 14, Judge Robert Wada rejected Kelly Conway’s petition for a temporary conservatorship, finding that her concerns about her stepmother’s medical decisions regarding her father were moot at the time because he was hospitalized Sept. 3 and underwent brain surgery.

The actor/comedian is bedridden and cannot speak, according to conclusions reached by his doctor and detailed in court papers previously submitted by Forer. Conway is under 24-hour care at a rehabilitation facility.

Dr. Maurice Zagha said he evaluated the entertainer on Jan. 5. According to Zagha, Conway understands what people are saying to him, but is unable to reply. Zagha said the verbal impediment makes it hard for him to determine Conway’s overall mental capacity, but that over time he has been able to read the actor’s facial expressions.

Conway was a cast member on the 1961-62 ABC variety series, “The Steve Allen Show,” before landing the role of Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker on the 1962-66 ABC comedy “McHale’s Navy.” In the 1970s, he became a cast member on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

In addition to Kelly, Conway and his first wife Mary Anne Dalton had five other children, including KFI-AM (640) talk show host Tim Conway Jr. They divorced in 1978.

Full Article & Source:
Settlement Reached in Conway Conservatorship Spat

See Also:
Doctor Says Actor/Comedian is Nonverbal, Bedridden

Judge Rejects Conway Daughter’s Temporary Conservatorship Petition For Now

Judge Defers Ruling on Tim Conway Conservatorship Amid Dispute Over Care

Tim Conway, 84, Suffering from Dementia: He's 'Almost Entirely Unresponsive,' Says Daughter

Tim Conway's daughter gets temporary restraining order against his wife over star's care

Doctor Says Actor/Comedian is Nonverbal, Bedridden

Emmy-winning actor Tim Conway, who underwent brain surgery in September, is bedridden and cannot speak, according to conclusions reached by his doctor in court papers obtained Monday.

Dr. Maurice Zagha said he evaluated the 85-year-old Conway on Jan. 5. His findings were outlined in court papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by attorneys for Conway’s wife, Charlene. She opposes an effort by her stepdaughter, Kelly, to be named Conway’s conservator. Kelly Conway maintains her father has dementia.

Charlene Conway says her husband does not need to be placed under a conservatorship, but that if a judge decides he needs such protection, she should be the person selected as conservator.

According to Zagha, Conway understands what people are saying to him, but is unable to reply. He said the verbal impediment makes it hard for him to determine Conway’s overall mental capacity, but that over time he has been able to read the actor’s facial expressions.

Zagha says Conway usually shows his emotions only when someone like his daughter visits.

In a separate report filed Jan. 22, Conway’s court-appointed attorney, Michael Harris, says a hearing scheduled in December on the conservatorship issue was delayed until Feb. 5 so that the two opposing sides could try and agree on who would be the best conservator and how to accommodate the person not selected.

Harris said he believes Charlene Conway would be the best choice for a conservator, but that if she is chosen, Kelly Conway should be notified about important issues concerning her father, including when he is uprooted from one facility to another.

Harris said Conway has been moved many times to different places for his care. He said in a previous report filed in December that Conway has been transferred seven times in 12 weeks between rehabilitation centers and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

On Sept. 14, Judge Robert Wada rejected Kelly Conway’s petition for a temporary conservatorship, finding that her concerns about her stepmother’s medical decisions regarding her father were moot at the time because he was hospitalized Sept. 3 and underwent brain surgery.

Conway was a cast member on the 1961-62 ABC variety series, “The Steve Allen Show” before landing the role of Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker on the 1962-66 ABC comedy “McHale’s Navy.” In the 1970s, he became a cast member on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

Conway also starred as the title character in the “Dorf” comedy films and voiced the character of Barnacle Boy in the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Full Article & Source:
Doctor Says Actor/Comedian is Nonverbal, Bedridden

See Also:
Judge Rejects Conway Daughter’s Temporary Conservatorship Petition For Now

Judge Defers Ruling on Tim Conway Conservatorship Amid Dispute Over Care

Tim Conway, 84, Suffering from Dementia: He's 'Almost Entirely Unresponsive,' Says Daughter

Tim Conway's daughter gets temporary restraining order against his wife over star's care

Tim Conway’s Sad Old Age: Laughter Ends As Comic’s Wife Battles Court Conservatorship

Tim Conway’s wife says in new court papers that the 84-year-old comedian does not need the protection of a conservatorship, but that if a judge is inclined to find to the contrary, she should serve the role and not her stepdaughter Kelly.

On Sept. 14, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Wada rejected Kelly Conway’s petition for a temporary conservatorship over her father, finding that her concerns about her stepmother’s medical decisions regarding the comic were moot at the time because he was hospitalized after undergoing brain surgery. Nearly a month later, he remains at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

A trial is pending Dec. 14 on whether a permanent conservatorhip should be established and, if so, who should be appointed.

In her petition for a temporary conservatorship, 56-year-old Kelly Conway maintained that her stepmother planned to move her father from the Villas at Topanga Terrace care facility in West Hills. Kelly Conway said her father was comfortable there and that she should be in charge of administering his dementia medication.

Charlene Conway, who has been married to the entertainer since 1984, denies that she wants to move him from the Villas and says she has provided him with proper care.

“Since Tim has suffered from various health issues, Charlene has been properly acting, pursuant to a power of attorney for health care and advanced directive signed on Feb. 3, 2014, to ensure that Tim’s personal needs are all met,” Charlene Conway’s court papers say. “That said, to the extent that this court determines that the appointment of a conservator of the person is in Tim’s best interest, Charlene has filed a competing petition for appointment of Charlene as Tim’s person.”

Additionally, Charlene Conway is the trustee of a living trust co-established with her husband that holds all of their assets, Charlene Conway’s court papers state.

“Charlene has been using these assets to care for Tim, as well as herself, as directed by the trust,” her court papers say. “There is no reason or basis to have anyone other than Charlene continue to act on Tim’s behalf.”

Charlene Conway claims her stepdaughter’s request to be named temporary conservator was based on a shoddy medical report based on conjecture and fabrications.

Conway was a performer on “The Steve Allen Plymouth Hour” in the 1950s before landing a role on the comedy series “McHale’s Navy.” He shot to fame with his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” with his comic antics often causing on-screen bouts of laughter by co-star Harvey Korman.

In addition to Kelly, Conway and his first wife Mary Anne Dalton had five other children. They divorced in 1978.

Full Article & Source:
Tim Conway’s Sad Old Age: Laughter Ends As Comic’s Wife Battles Court Conservatorship

See Also:
Judge Rejects Conway Daughter’s Temporary Conservatorship Petition For Now

Judge Defers Ruling on Tim Conway Conservatorship Amid Dispute Over Care

Tim Conway, 84, Suffering from Dementia: He's 'Almost Entirely Unresponsive,' Says Daughter

Tim Conway's daughter gets temporary restraining order against his wife over star's care 

Judge Rejects Conway Daughter’s Temporary Conservatorship Petition For Now

A Los Angeles judge Friday denied a petition by a daughter of 84-year-old Tim Conway to be appointed as her father’s conservator, finding that the woman’s concerns about her stepmother’s medical decisions regarding the actor/comedian are moot for now because he has been hospitalized since Sept. 3.

But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Wada said his decision was “without prejudice,” meaning Kelly Conway could renew her conservatorship bid in the future if the circumstances warrant.

Wada also discharged a temporary restraining order that prevented Conway’s wife, Charlene, from moving Conway to a new residence prior to his hospitalization. He said the entertainer’s current status as a hospital patient makes such an order unnecessary.

Arguing against granting Kelly Conway’s petition, Charlene Conway’s attorney, Jeffrey Forer, told Wada that Conway had brain surgery Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and that all medical decisions are being made by Conway’s doctors.

Conway’s court-appointed lawyer, Michael Harris, said that while he believes both Kelly and Charlene Conway have Conway’s best interests at heart, he also saw no need for a temporary conservatorship at this time. Harris has stated in his court papers that Conway suffers from “fluid on the brain” and is unable to communicate.

Kelly Conway’s lawyer, Troy Martin, declined to comment after the hearing. In court, he said that his client wants to see her father, once he is discharged from the hospital, to be returned to a care facility where he was living. He said the filing of the temporary conservatorship petition stopped any plans Charlene Conway may have had to move him elsewhere.

Martin also said there is clear evidence that some of the medication Conway received before being hospitalized made it hard for him to walk, talk, swallow and eat.

“He only gets better when he is taken off those medications,” Martin told the judge.

Kelly Conway maintains her father was happy at the care facility where he was living, where Conway had a private room and received 24-hour care. She argued in her court papers that moving him would be “harmful to his health and life.”

But Charlene Conway — who has been married since 1984 — denied in court papers that she has any plans to move her husband. She claims Kelly Conway’s request to be named conservator was based on a shoddy medical report based on conjecture and fabrications.

Conway was a performer on “The Steve Allen Plymouth Hour” in the 1950s before landing a role on the comedy series “McHale’s Navy.” But he shot to fame with his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” with his comic antics often causing on-screen bouts of laughter by co-star Harvey Korman.

In addition to Kelly, Conway and his first wife Mary Anne Dalton had five other children. They divorced in 1978.

Full Article & Source:
Judge Rejects Conway Daughter’s Temporary Conservatorship Petition For Now

See Also:
Judge Defers Ruling on Tim Conway Conservatorship Amid Dispute Over Care

Tim Conway, 84, Suffering from Dementia: He's 'Almost Entirely Unresponsive,' Says Daughter

Tim Conway's daughter gets temporary restraining order against his wife over star's care

Eagles’ Randy Meisner’s voluntary conservatorship ‘going very nicely’

An attorney for Eagles co-founder Randy Meisner said Wednesday that his client is doing well under a voluntary temporary conservatorship and criticized attempts by a former friend of the musician to have someone else appointed to look after his medical and financial needs.

Lawyer Bruce Fuller told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Barry that Meisner’s longtime friend, Arthur Ford, is making sure the 70-year-old bassist receives proper health care and that Meisner’s accountant, Thomas DeLong, is properly overseeing his business affairs.

“They are qualified and things are going very nicely,” Fuller said.

In April, the judge found that Meisner was of sound mind when he agreed to have Ford and DeLong as his temporary conservators.

But the selections of Ford and DeLong drew concerns from James Newton, who has filed a competing petition. Newton has said he often speaks with the musician’s children.

Newton’s lawyer, Troy Martin, states in his court papers that his client prefers that Donna Bogdanovich be appointed to oversee Meisner’s medical needs and his estate.  The lawyer further stated in court papers that Bogdanovich is a former social worker and case manager who specializes in mental health issues.

Barry scheduled a trial on the competing petitions for Aug. 11 and 12.

“I think we need to put it to rest,” Barry said.

Martin told Barry that Newton believes Meisner was not of sound mind when he agreed to the temporary conservatorships. He said Newton is concerned whether the bassist gets proper medical care.

Newton is concerned that unlike Bogdanovich, Ford may not have expertise in dealing with people like Meisner, who has a history of substance issues and mental health problems, according to Martin.

Martin said previously that Meisner’s suicidal thoughts once prompted him to say he wanted to kill people with an AK-47 and then take his own life.

Barry scheduled a July 7 hearing on Martin’s request that a medical examination be performed on Meisner.

Meisner, who has appeared in court for the conservatorship hearings, shook his head in disagreement as he heard Martin speak to the judge.

Meisner’s wife, Lana, suffered a fatal gunshot wound March 6 when she lifted a rifle that accidentally discharged in the couple’s Studio City home, according to police.

Fuller filed a petition on his client’s behalf five days later asking that a conservatorship be established to provide for Meisner’s care, maintenance and support.

Fuller stated in his court papers that his client was “in a profound state of grief” and “barely able to accept the sudden and tragic loss” of his 63-year-old wife.

The Eagles were founded in 1971 by Meisner, the late Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon. Meisner co-wrote and sang the hit, “Take it to the Limit.”

—City News Service

Full Article & Source:
Eagles’ Randy Meisner’s voluntary conservatorship ‘going very nicely’

See Also:
Randy Meisner's Friend Calls For Conservatorship

Randy Meisner Fights Kids Over Conservatorship Plans

County adopts new tool for providing emergency services

Services will go to those gravely disabled by mental illness

REGION — San Diego County has adopted new means of providing services for those gravely disabled by mental illness by allowing extended psychiatric treatment for people who are committed involuntarily. The new tool may save the county thousands of dollars.

An individual suffering from mental illness can be involuntarily detained for treatment in a hospital or mental health clinic. To be committed involuntarily, a law enforcement officer, mental health clinician, or doctor must determine that the person is unable to care for themselves or may be a danger to themselves or others.

Currently in San Diego County, doctors have the ability to keep a person for treatment for up to 17 days. If a doctor believes that a patient will need psychiatric treatment beyond those two-and-a-half weeks, the doctor must petition for temporary conservatorship.

A temporary conservatorship appoints a person to make medical and legal decisions on behalf of another person who is deemed unable to do so on their own. In cases involving the gravely mentally ill, a temporary conservatorship gives the appointed conservator and doctor the legal authority to continue involuntary psychiatric treatment beyond 17 days.

The catch is that doctors do not have the full 17 days to decide whether or not to petition for temporary conservatorship on behalf of a patient, according to Dr. Michael Krelstein. Krelstein is the clinical director for the county Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services.

Doctors need to decide about the petition by the twelfth or thirteenth day of a patient’s treatment to allow the county conservator’s office enough time to investigate the case before the petition is decided in court.

According to Krelstein, less than two weeks is not enough time for a doctor to make a determination about petitioning for a temporary conservatorship. He explained that most of the time, psychiatric medications take about two weeks to fully take effect.

Because of this, doctors often end up filing temporary conservatorships that later turn out to be unnecessary when a patient responds to treatment and is ready to be discharged by the sixteenth or seventeenth day of involuntary treatment.

Full Article & Source:
County adopts new tool for providing emergency services