LaFAYETTE, Ga. - The former operator of a crematory where more than 300 corpses were discovered two years ago was declared indigent by a judge Thursday.

Ray Brent Marsh, who faces 787 felony charges, will now be eligible to seek public money to pay for experts to aid his defense. Judge James G. Bodiford turned down Marsh's earlier request to be declared indigent, citing his wife's income of about $36,000. But the couple have since separated, and Marsh no longer has any source of income, the judge wrote.

Bodiford added that the case will require "the expenditure of a great deal of time, manpower and expertise. The indictments themselves ... may be the most voluminous prosecution" ever in Georgia.

Marsh's attorney has argued he needs to hire forensics experts to examine evidence gathered from the grounds of the Tri-State Crematory.

Marsh was arrested in February 2002 after investigators found decaying bodies that were supposed to have been cremated at the family business.

He has pleaded innocent. No trial date has been set.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/7721765.htm