Pablo Torre Finds Out Jaw & Order: The Case of the Stolen Dinosaur Bones (and Nicolas Cage)
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Apr 15, 2025 Martin Bell, a former federal prosecutor known for tackling high-profile cases, shares the wild story of suing over a stolen 70-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton. He teams up with a personal injury lawyer and navigates the murky waters of fossil trafficking, cultural laws, and even a Florida heist. The conversation hilariously intertwines law, paleontology, and the unexpected involvement of Nicolas Cage. Expect a riveting look at the intersection of legal battles and celebrity culture in the world of dinosaur bones!
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Auction Stopped by Court Order
- Martin Bell recounts stopping an auction for a stolen Tyrannosaurus bataar skeleton with a court order in hand.
- He coordinated with a personal injury lawyer who accidentally became the Mongolian government's representative.
Fossils as Cultural Property
- Mongolia's strict cultural patrimony laws protect natural objects like dinosaur fossils, not just artifacts.
- This recognizes fossils as items of national cultural importance worthy of repatriation.
Dinosaur Fossils Arrive Mid-Raid
- During a search warrant execution, a delivery truck arrived with a crate openly labeled 'dinosaur fossils inside.'
- Agents quickly got a warrant for it, highlighting the surreal nature of the investigation.