The estranged siblings of a man who owns a quarantined farm in Carroll County have filed a complaint alleging that the farm, where pigs recently vanished, belongs to them.
“The concerns of my clients are that their mother apparently signed deeds at a time when she was ill, and our contention is that [farm owner Carroll Schisler Sr. persuaded her],” said Charles Fisher Jr., the attorney representing sister Iris Wix and brothers Ralph, Donald and Fred Schisler.
But the family feud over matriarch Lucille Schisler?s will is one fueled by the siblings? desire to own the 114-acre farm on Marston Road, valued at $2 million, said the lawyers who represent Carroll Schisler Sr., 60, and his son and farm manager, Carroll Schisler Jr., 34.
When father and son appeared in federal court in Baltimore on Oct. 4 to explain the sudden disappearance of 100 pigs, some infected with a parasitic disease, Schisler Sr. suggested that his brothers stole the hogs, some weighing 500 pounds.
The four siblings who questioned the inheritance filed a motion to extend a temporary restraining order Monday in Carroll County Circuit Court, keeping Schisler Sr. from selling the farm until the matter is resolved.
The four siblings live in other states, except Ralph Schisler, who lives next door to the farm, but said he hasn?t spoken with Schisler Sr. in years.
Ralph Schisler said he doesn?t know the pigs? whereabouts, but lamented the rundown condition of the farm.
The disagreement over the will proves the siblings? motive for stealing the pigs, valued at a total of $20,000, said Daniel Green, a lawyer who represents Schisler Jr. pro bono.
“It explains everything,” he said. “The lawsuit tries to undo the deeds to the farm, saying the deed was void because of the way [Schisler Sr.] drafted it.”
Schisler Sr., who doesn?t write or read very well, Green said, “thought he was doing the right thing” when he used an online deed-maker.
Father and son face charges of selling contaminated meat, feeding garbage to swine and animal cruelty.
