AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
The Attorney General Just Ordered Another Autopsy Be Performed on Michael Brown
August 17, 2014
A federally conducted autopsy "more closely focused on entry point of projectiles, defensive wounds and bruises" might help that investigation.
Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski and Zach Noble
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Sunday ordered a federal medical examiner to perform another autopsy on the body of a black Missouri teenager whose fatal shooting by a white police officer has spurred a week of rancorous and sometimes violent protests in suburban St. Louis.
Image source: AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File
Department of Justice spokesman Brian Fallon cited a request by family members and the "extraordinary circumstances" surrounding the case of 18-year-old Michael Brown in explaining decision.
"This independent examination will take place as soon as possible," Fallon said in a statement. "Even after it is complete, Justice Department officials still plan to take the state-performed autopsy into account in the course of their investigation."
The Justice Department already had deepened its civil rights investigation of the shooting. Officials said a day earlier that 40 FBI agents were going door-to-door gathering information in the Ferguson, Missouri, neighborhood where an unarmed Brown was shot to death in the middle of the street on Aug. 9.
David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who supervised the criminal civil rights section of Miami's U.S. Attorney's office, said a federally conducted autopsy "more closely focused on entry point of projectiles, defensive wounds and bruises" might help that investigation, and that the move is "not that unusual."
He also said federal authorities want to calm any public fears that no action will be taken on the case.
In addition to the federal and state autopsies, Brown's family has requested a third autopsy, CNN reported.
It will be conducted by high-profile pathologist Michael Baden, according to Anthony Gray, a lawyer for the Brown family, CNN noted.
Baden testified in the O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector and Drew Peterson murder trials, CNN added.
This story has been updated.
—
Follow Zach Noble (@thezachnoble) on Twitter
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
more stories
Sign up for the Blaze newsletter
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Get the stories that matter most delivered directly to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time.