Los Angeles attorney and self-proclaimed “Deadhead,” Joel R. Bander, sued another attorney in his office for causing humiliation, mental anguish, and intentional infliction of emotional distress for poking fun at the death of Jerry Garicia, band leader of the Grateful Dead.  Bander’s officemate, Malek S. Shraibati made a cardboard tombstone which read, “RIP Jerry Garcia (A few too many parties perhaps?)” and hung it in their shared office the day Garcia died in August of 1995.

Court papers stated, “Plaintiff’s status as a Deadhead was well-known to friends and professional peers.”  Bander described Garcia as, “a folk hero and musical genius whose death stirred a public reaction similar to the deaths of presidents, John Lennon, and Elvis Presley.”  Shraikati claimed his cardboard tombstone was, “a general comment on Garcia and the abuse of drugs.”

Superior Court Judge Edward Ross dismissed the case in November of 1996 due to Bander’s failure to prosecute in a timely manner.  Bander said his suit was going to take longer than he thought and would therefore interfere with his regular caseload.  His officemate, Shraikati, was just grateful the suit was dead.

1997 Robin D. Gross
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