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Suspects In 'Bernie's' Case Have Different Versions Of Events

DENVER (CBS4) - The two suspects in an odd police case that has been compared to the movie "Weekend at Bernie's" have different takes on what happened.

Robert Young and Mark Rubinson face identity theft, abuse of a corpse and other charges after allegedly going out for a night of partying in August while their dead friend was in the car. So far it's not known exactly how Jarret died, but police say the two men aren't responsible for his actual death.

According to police, Rubinson, 25, and Young, 43, started the night at the home of Jeffrey Jarret, 43, who was reported to be ill. Police say the men picked him up, but instead of seeing a doctor they went out for a night on the town.

Young spoke with reporters Thursday morning before an appearance in court. He said he was roommates with Jarrett and that the decision to bring Jarret out with them when he clearly wasn't healthy was Rubinson's.

"It wasn't my idea," he said. "I was like 'What?' And I was thinking it was a bad move," he said.

Rubinson and Young allegedly proceeded to then visit bars and restaurants and also allegedly stopped at Shotgun Willie's, a strip club, and took money out of Jarrett's account at an ATM before telling police their friend might be dead.

Rubinson was arrested in Boulder Wednesday morning for failing to show up in court earlier this week and talked to CBS4 investigator Rick Sallinger from jail. He says Young was the one who actually used Jarret's credit or debit card to take out money.

Although his statements differed from much of what Rubinson said Wednesday, Young did go along with that part of the story

"I went inside basically to withdraw money, which I shouldn't have done, but he owed me money," Young said.

Rubinson also says the night was nothing like the movie "Weekend at Bernie's," to which it has been compared.

"I should have called a lot of people and done a lot of things differently, but I didn't. Woulda, coulda, shoulda; I know what I did wrong and I know what I should have done," Rubinson said.

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