Stolen skulls returned to crypt

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Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

The skulls of Susan and Patrick Henry Clayton were returned Monday in a small ceremony at Lone Mountain Cemetery.

David Shaughnessy, 39, admitted stealing the skulls. He said Janice Hershey, 33, his girlfriend at the time, was with him, and that he later sold one skull to Nanette Birdsell, 36, for $400 and some methamphetamine.

In a plea agreement last October, Shaughnessy agreed to testify against both women in exchange for probation.

Birdsell pleaded guilty earlier this month. If a judge follows the district attorney's recommendations, she'll do 15 days in jail, five years probation and 100 hours of community service.

Hershey's case is up for a status check in mid-February. She pleaded innocent to burglary and grave robbery charges.