Gavel. Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash
LOGAN — A jury trial has been postponed for one of the former owners of Nyman Funeral Home accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers. Kent L. Nyman and Lonnie K. Nyman reportedly sold pre-paid funeral trust accounts and then used the money for their own purchases.
Attorney’s for Kent Nyman participated in a pretrial conference Monday afternoon in 1st District Court. Judge Angela Fonnesbeck explained the weeklong jury trial, scheduled to begin March 20, was being cancelled because of another trial being held at the same time.
Defense attorney Scott Williams told the court, they are still working on resolving the case and requested 60 more days. He noted how Lonnie Nyman had previously accepted a plea deal, agreeing to pay back the victims. Restitution hasn’t begun though because he hasn’t been released from prison yet.
State attorney Kaytlin Beckett said she was okay with continuing the case for several months in hope that Lonnie Nyman will be released and begin paying restitution soon. She said their primary focus has always been repaying the victims.
Judge Fonnesbeck ordered attorneys to appear again May 1 and said she could schedule a new trial then.
Neither Kent nor Lonnie Nyman participated in Monday’s brief hearing. Each have been charged with a pattern of unlawful activity, unlawful dealing with property by a fiduciary, and communications fraud, all second-degree felonies.
According to the indictments, the two men sold contracts for pre-need funeral plans to at least 105 victims. Instead of placing the funds in trust accounts as required by law, the money was deposited into two bank accounts. The funds were then used for personal expenses at fast food restaurants, sporting goods stores, as well as payments toward personal credit card balances.
Lonnie Nyman pleaded guilty to the charges in January 2022. The 48-year-old Millville man has been ordered to pay back the victims.
Kent Nyman has claimed that he is innocent. The 75-year-old Providence has told investigators that his responsibility was primarily the sale and contracting for pre-need funeral plans, and he didn’t handle the financing. Lonnie Nyman would deposit the payments.
Kent Nyman could face up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com