The State - News from June 21, 1985

Two former Alameda County coroner’s aides convicted of stealing from the dead have been sentenced to eight months in jail. John Rhone, the coroner’s office property manager, and William Devine were convicted in November of misappropriation of public funds and falsifying public records. Investigators said the two were in possession of property that had been part of an estate under the coroner’s jurisdiction. Rhone, 53, was also ordered by Superior Court Judge Martin Pulich to pay $120 restitution to the county. Devine, 50, was ordered to pay $220 restitution. Rhone, who had been with the coroner’s office for 25 years, was only three months away from retirement when he was arrested last July. Devine, a 20-year veteran, had been Rhone’s assistant for 15 years.