FULTON - A judge agreed Wednesday to turn one Prentiss County cemetery over to a receiver for management and to merge four cemetery cases into one.

However, Chancery Judge John Hatcher imposed conditions before his rulings would be finalized.

A secretary of state staff member must be identified who would become the trustee, or receiver, of Prentiss Memorial Gardens in Baldwyn, Hatcher said.

He also agreed that Prentiss Memorial Gardens; Liberty Memorial Gardens, Booneville; Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Calhoun City; and Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Laurel could be joined together as one case after a notice is published for at least 30 days.

Joining the four cases would allow the other three to be placed under management of a receiver, as in the case of Prentiss Memorial Gardens "due to the dire need and emergency."

In general terms, Hatcher said, a receiver is obligated to take the assets of the property and dispose of them in a manner that protects the interests of the contract holders.

The attorney general's motions were presented by Cammie Wyatt and Blake Bee of the attorney general's office. Wyatt worked on the civil case for more than a year after the secretary of state's office received dozens of complaints that the cemeteries were not fulfilling the terms of pre-arrangement contracts.

The state's investigation found that the properties' owners had converted trust funds for the properties to their own names, and there was very little money left in the trust accounts.

The attorney general's office then filed an injunction to bar the cemeteries from continuing to sell cemetery services, and has been seeking restitution on behalf of the cemetery clients.

Wednesday's court actions are the first of several steps to wrap up the four cemetery cases, Hatcher said. At his suggestion several people gave their names and addresses to be kept updated as further actions on the cases are scheduled.

Contact Lena Mitchell at (662) 287-9822 or lena.mitchell@djournal.com.