Jean Kasem Charges: No Charges For Kasem’s Widow

There will be no charges for Casey Kasem’s widow, Jean Kasem, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Friday, May 22, according to the Associated Press.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a charge evaluation sheet, which claimed their was “insufficient evidence” to charge Kasem with elder abuse.

“Because of Mr. Kasem’s longstanding profound health issues, this case cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury,” the decision stated.

Casey Kasem, the radio personality who was married to Jean for more than 30 years, died in June, 2014, in Washington state after he was moved there by Jean from a medical facility where he was receiving around-the-clock care. At the time of his death, the American Top 40 host had developed a form of dementia and had several severe bedsores. Jean claimed she moved Casey from the facility to maintain his privacy and consult with doctors.

Kerri Kasem, Casey’s daughter, was named his conservator and was the one seeking the elder abuse charges against her step-mother. Following the prosecutors decision, Kerri issued a statement, according to Financial Content.

“My family is very sad to learn the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has decided not to file charges against Jean Kasem. We did everything we could to save my Dad at the end of his life, including getting an emergency court order for conservatorship. But we were too late. My father’s second wife Jean had done everything she could to keep our father from us while not providing the quality care that he – and every other senior in our society – deserves.

“We’re hopeful that the prosecutors in Kitsap County, Washington, where my father was taken against his will and later died, will do the right thing and file charges against Jean.

“The Los Angeles County District Attorney, with her professed interest in ending elder abuse, could do more. Her website says ‘she leads the largest prosecutorial office in the nation, with nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members.’

“It’s a sad day in our country when our parents, family members and loved ones die at the hands of others, and our elected prosecutors elect to do nothing.”

Do you think it is fair that there will be no charges for Kasem’s widow, Jean Kasem? Leave your comments below.

[Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images]