Court battle looms over military's 'archaic' next-of-kin policy

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A bitter dispute between divorced parents over the final resting place for a son killed in Iraq will go to court this fall.<br/><br/>The outcome could set precedent for other families

Tuesday, May 24th 2005, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A bitter dispute between divorced parents over the final resting place for a son killed in Iraq will go to court this fall.

The outcome could set precedent for other families embroiled in post-mortem custody battles.

Monday, a California judge set an October 3rd trial date for Renee Amick, the mother of Army Staff Sergeant Jason Hendrix.

Hendrix was buried last month in a plot next to his grandfather in Oklahoma. Amick says her son wanted to be laid to rest in Central California, and says she may have his body exhumed if she wins a civil suit to regain custody.