Rick,
I agree with the other folks, unless there was some internal construction malfunction, the battery cannot discharge with the cables unhooked.
That statement isn't accurate if there was a battery holdown frame or assembly that somehow could touch or rub up against the posts. Because of the huge amount of current available in a fully charged battery, any short would have to be small and of a high resistance or the fire department would paying you a visit.
As Beltfed indicates, there is more to this story than has been revealed. How much is a collect call to Bavaria?
Stuart
