A Melbourne woman narrowly escaped a jail term after being convicted for her shocking attempt to sell a dead man’s toes online. Joanna Kinman, a 48-year-old mother of five, found the toes in an animal shelter bin where she worked as a ranger. She believed she could make $400 by selling the human remains.
The bizarre incident unfolded when two dogs brought to the shelter had ingested parts of a man’s corpse. Kinman seized the opportunity to take the dead man’s toes, which were clearly identifiable, from the bin. She later boasted to her daughter about her macabre find and expressed intentions to sell them online.
During a police search of Kinman’s residence, officers found the toes preserved in a jar, alongside other peculiar items like a guinea pig trotter, a bird skull, and even her children’s teeth. It was revealed that Kinman was an active member of a Facebook group where specimens were exchanged, having previously sold “wet specimens” of animals.
Despite the disturbing nature of the case, Kinman managed to avoid jail time but was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order. Magistrate Andrew Sim expressed astonishment at Kinman’s actions, describing them as “entirely odd” and emphasizing the need for deterrence to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Kinman’s defense lawyer highlighted her regret and the negative impact the incident had on her life, including losing her job at the shelter. The magistrate emphasized the importance of treating human remains with dignity and respect, pointing out the severity of Kinman’s offense.
The maximum penalty for such offensive conduct involving human remains is two years in jail. Kinman made no statement outside the court after the sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder of the boundaries that should be upheld when dealing with the deceased, reflecting a disturbing and unusual episode in the criminal justice system.
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