27 February,2009 11:36 AM IST | | Agencies
A New York state judge has ruled against a man who demanded $1.5 million for a kidney he gave his estranged wife before they began divorce proceedings.
Dr Richard Batista (49) of Ronkonkoma, NY, had sought the return of his kidney or $1.5 million for the organ as part of his divorce settlement with Dawnell Batista (44).
State Supreme Court marital referee Jeffrey Grob ruled on Wednesday that putting a monetary value on a human organ is illegal and could "expose the defendant to criminal prosecution".
However, Richard Batista's lawyer, Dominic Barbara, referred to the decision as a "complete victory", citing a statement in Grob's decision that says his client's "sacrifices, magnanimity and devotion" can be taken into account when the case is settled.
