- Ann Kelsey: Mr. Campbell, how did you meet Thomas Young?
- James Campbell: On a blind date through a men-seeking-men collum in the LA Times. We both expected the worst. But to our surprise, the date went well and we ended up falling in love.
- Ann Kelsey: Did you make a commitment to each other?
- James Campbell: Yes. We tried to formalize that but the state of California would not give us a marriage license. We got married in a church in Hawaii on May 1, 1981, over two months after we first met.
- Ann Kelsey: And you two have been living together ever since?
- James Campbell: Yes. We bought a house outside San Francisco and we were very happy... until three years ago.
- Ann Kelsey: What happened then?
- James Campbell: We found out that Thomas had ALS. Lou Gehrig's disease. The doctors told us he was going to die within three to five years. Over the next two years, he became completely paralyzed.
- Ann Kelsey: Did you take care of him?
- James Campbell: Yes.
- Ann Kelsey: Would you tell the court what that entailed?
- James Campbell: Mainly being with him at all times. Feeding him, bathing him. I'd of course empty his bed pan. Read to him. Stay up with him if he had a bad night. Make sure his friends came and saw him.
- Ann Kelsey: How long have you been doing this?
- James Campbell: For two-in-a-half years and I wanted to keep on doing it.
- Ann Kelsey: What stopped you?
- James Campbell: Four months ago while I was at work, Thomas parents whom I never met showed up out of the blue and they came to our house and took him away back to their home here in L.A.
- Ann Kelsey: What happened after Thomas Young was taken back here to Los Angeles by his parents?
- James Campbell: For several weeks, I tried to contact them. They refused to take my phone calls or speak to me. And they wouldn't answer my letters. Finally, their attorney over there, Ms. Carlton, contacted me and told me in a rude tone that I would never see Thomas again and if I tried, they would get a restraining order against me.
- Ann Kelsey: Mr. Campbell, would you please tell this court why you are asking for conservertership of Thomas Young?
- James Campbell: I love him. I've known him for nine years. He's my husband... at least on paper. I promised him that I would take care of him. I intend to keep that promise.
- [Brackman is in a body sling after being burned on his rear end]
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Could you have at least warned me about the turpentine you dumped down the toilet? You know I love to smoke my favorite cigars on the toilet. They're talking about skin grafts. You know how painful that is?
- Murray Melman: Skin grafts? They should get them from the top of your bald head. That way your butt won't grow hair.
- Roxanne Melman: Daddy!
- Murray Melman: Oh, come on! A little ass-in-the-sling humor.
- Douglas Brackman, Jr.: Get him out of here, Roxanne!
- Murray Melman: [as he walks out] You didn't blow your top. You blew your bottom! I got a million of them! But I don't want you to be the butt of my jokes! I like my buns toasted! There's a full moon out tonight!
- Judge Richard Lobel: Mr. Becker, I don't understand.
- Arnie Becker: Your Honor, upon information and belief, we believe the contract between Benjamin Stulwicz and Herbert and Elaine Rose, DBA, Temple of the Children of God was entered in fraudulently. We believe the Roses clearly took advantage of Mr. Stulwicz's retardation when they enticed him to join their cult.
- Lawrence Bradley: I object. I'm a member of the Children of God, Your Honor. We are a recognized religious organization, not a cult.
- Arnie Becker: All we ask, Your Honors is there TRO be issued requiring the return of Mr. Stulwicz's $1,000 membership fee and we would seek further the protection of its pledge of sages.
- Judge Richard Lobel: I can read, Mr. Becker, but I don't understand is why you and Miss Perkins are plaintiffs. Are you conservators, Mr. Stulwicz?
- Abby Perkins: No, Your Honor, but we are seeking temporary conservatorship.
- Judge Richard Lobel: Mr. Kuzak of your firm was before this bench 2 years ago, arguing that Mr. Stulwicz was fully capable of exercising his right to vote? Are you saying that he can decide what's good for the country but not for himself?
- Abby Perkins: We feel were acting in Mr. Stulwicz's best interests.
- Judge Richard Lobel: $1,000 and $45 a week. What do you give him and return?
- Lawrence Bradley: Companionship, spiritual guidance.
- Judge Richard Lobel: Right.
- Lawrence Bradley: Your Honor, before you decide, we'd like to put on a witness. We'd like to put Benjamin Stulwicz on the stand.
- Arnie Becker: Objection.
- Judge Richard Lobel: Overruled. I happen to think that's a very good idea. Since I don't totally trust either one of you. I'd like to hear from him. Tomorrow 10:00.