Posted on 04/01/2005 1:13:35 PM PST by wagglebee
Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, the well-known forensic pathologist and coroner of Allegheny County, Pa., told listeners of a morning radio show that he was denied permission to observe Terri Schiavo's autopsy, despite the wishes of her parents.
A medical examiner in Pinellas County, Florida, is conducting an autopsy that could help determine what Schiavo's state of consciousness was and whether she was abused by her husband, as the Schindlers allege. Wecht, appearing on the syndicated America's Morning Show with Quinn and Rose, based in Pittsburgh, said that an investigator working for the Schindler's law firm had called him on Thursday to see whether he would be agreeable to observing the autopsy.
Dr. Wecht told Quinn and Rose he was certainly be agreeable to that, but that several hours later he received word that the medical examiner had declined to give him permission.
Dr. Wecht told the morning hosts that he considered this a mistake, according to Rose Somma Tennent. "He said that, if this were in [his] office, [he] would have said sure - not just because of professional courtesy, but because of the controversy sourrounding this case," Somma Tennet said.
Calls made during the show to the medical examiner's office were not returned.
The results from the autopsy are expected in a few weeks.
Wecht can be bought?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05084/477424.stm
U.S. inquires into Wecht's activities
Friday, March 25, 2005
By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Federal authorities are investigating Dr. Cyril H. Wecht's activities as Allegheny County coroner, Wecht's attorney said yesterday.
"It's an inquiry into Dr. Wecht's activities and endeavors as the coroner and his professional activities as a leading forensic pathologist in America," said attorney David Armstrong.
Officials with the U.S. attorney's office and FBI would not comment last night.
Last month it was disclosed that Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. had launched a criminal investigation of Wecht. The probe concerns $5,000 paid to Wecht by a law firm representing a man killed in 2002 in a scuffle with police in Mount Oliver.
Wecht, acting in his capacity as a private forensic pathologist, wrote a report for the family of Charles Dixon for use in the family's federal lawsuit against Mount Oliver police. The lawsuit was settled for $850,000.
Acting as coroner in the same matter, Wecht recommended that Zappala pursue homicide charges against police.
"There is evidence that the coroner is using his public office for personal, pecuniary gain," Zappala said last month.
Zappala's spokesman, Mike Manko, would not comment last night. It could not be determined if the federal probe was related to Zappala's inquiry.
Wecht in 1993 paid a $200,000 civil settlement stemming from allegations that he improperly used his public office for private gain. He was tried and cleared in criminal court in 1981 on a charge of theft of services.
He could not be reached last night, but Armstrong said the coroner was "amazed, because there's nothing to investigate."
Everett Rice, former Pinellas County Sheriff, 1988-2004.
Became Florida State Representative, District 54 in Nov. 2004.
Endorsed Judge George Greer for reelection in campaign ads..
Former board member The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast.
Hired Michael Schiavo while Schiavo’s guardianship proceedings were in the courtroom of his long time friend Judge George Greer.
That's right:
"The patient has a history of trauma."
Except she didn't.
The sick part of this is they are both supposed to be Republican. I do hope that Felos and MS are Democrats.
Maybe that's it. Overwhelming events lately.
That's excellent news.
Ok, I'll bite. Why don't you ask MS where the Xrays are?
And the new CULTURE OF DEATH rolls on....
Sorry, a bit snappy, getting tired and frustrated.
DR. WALKER'S DEPOSITION-----11/21/2003
The report must have made Schiavo nervous. Unfortunately, the link is dead. It may be that it won't be restored since Terri has died.
Motion for Protective Order 11-19-03 (Filed by Michael Schiavo to block discovery in the issue of Dr. C. Walker's findings of Terri Schiavo's bone scan)
Yes, my post was a bit tongue in cheek. The question is how to bring things back into balance without going too far the other way and ending up with arbitrary rulings. I feel the fundamental problem is that we have come unmoored from the foundational principle that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed - the people are no longer really in charge. To remedy that I propose 1) national referenda and initiatives and 2) review of judicial decisions by legislators and/or the people. The second is quite tricky but I think it can be done.
The link worked for me. I suggest you try it again.
I understand. Looks like another poster has something on the xrays.
No dear one. I'm sorry that I wasn't more clear. The link to the PDF of Schiavo blocking Dr Walkers testimony is broken. Sorry.
It's a very loooooong document.
I suppose Jim Rob would 'kill' me if I cut and pasted it? It is very looooooooooooooooooooooooong!
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