High court declines Kenedy case, alleged heir

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to consider a claim that wealthy South Texas rancher John G. Kenedy left behind an illegitimate daughter and heir. The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports the high court's rejection Tuesday could end the efforts of Ann Fernandez. Fernandez, who's in her 80s, has been living in a nursing home. The Corpus Christi woman has been in a legal battle with the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation and the John G. Kenedy Jr. Charitable Trust. The groups control the 400,000-acre Kenedy Ranch. Fernandez family attorney Marcos Ronquillo says a rehearing could be sought. He unsuccessfully sought to have Kenedy's body exhumed for DNA testing. Kenedy died in 1948 and was believed to have no heirs. AP