This is a continuation of our last post. We were talking about the daughter and Florida-based son of Irvin Feld. When the senior Feld died in 1984, his son inherited the multimillion dollar business that included Disney on Ice and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. His daughter inherited almost nothing.

Karen and Kenneth Feld have been involved in more than one legal dispute since their father died. The most recent -- the trial started last week -- involves a confrontation that occurred as the family sat shiva for the aunt who raised the brother and sister. Their versions of the events that day are quite different.

She says. Karen says that she has suffered a number of brain injuries in her lifetime that left her with a stress-induced condition. In certain circumstances, she claims she manifests seizure-like symptoms that are best alleviated by going to a dark, quiet place. Karen also says her dog is trained to detect the onset of an attack.

At the apartment that night, Karen says she felt a seizure coming on soon after the rabbi began the service. She moved toward the back of the room to go into a bathroom. According to her complaint, three "large and aggressive" men threw her out. In the hallway, they proceeded to beat her with their fists. Her symptoms flared, and she began swearing in "Tourette's-like speech."

Her brother came out and told the men to get rid of her. "She's not family," he allegedly said.

She was then dragged onto the elevator, where two of the men continued their assault. They tossed her onto the driveway, where she lay, bruised and bleeding, vainly attempting to call for help. When no one came, she managed to get herself to her car and then to an emergency room. She claims she was treated there for fractured ribs and elbow, a torn earlobe, damage to her vision, a concussion and other injuries.

Kenneth's response will be detailed in our next post.

Source: TheState.com (South Carolina), "Ringling heirs go to trial over bereavement fight," Nedra Pickler, 05/05/2011