Overview

• The Supreme Judicial Court reversed a trial judge’s dismissal and revived claims against Harvard and former Anatomical Gift Program director Mark Cicchetti.
• Twelve consolidated suits brought by 47 relatives will return to Suffolk Superior Court for discovery, including depositions and internal records.
• Justices cited allegations of “peculiarly pervasive noncompliance,” including weak controls despite known risks and ignored red flags like the morgue manager’s “Grim-R” license plate.
• Claims against manager Tracey Fay were ended, with the court finding plaintiffs had not shown comparable noncompliance on her part.
• Ex-morgue manager Cedric Lodge pleaded guilty in May to interstate transportation of stolen human remains and awaits sentencing, as filings detail sales such as two dissected faces for $600 and PayPal payments totaling about $37,000.