I, personally, think this ME might be above board.
Despite what MS said, it was the medical examiner's office that said they were intending to do an autopsy. Schiavo didn't request it.
Also, it has been reported that it's standard practice in Pinellas County if a patient is to be cremated.
I have a hard time believing this because my MIL and FIL died in Pinellas Co, (MIL just in January), were cremated, and there were no autopsies in their case.
Here's the website of the ME of Pinellas County. In the part about Hospice deaths, etc. I find no mention of autopsies being needed and no mention of cremation.
http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/forensics/policy/policystatement.htm
But it is also my understanding that autopsy results are not made public, except to family, whom I'm guessing would be MS. They are not of the public record for 50 years.
No, MS didn't request it, but he did say he would let the autopsy take place.
As Rush pointed out today, it is Florida State law that an autopsy be done before a cremation.
Rush then said that since MS came out and said he would "allow" the autopsy to take place, it makes him look a little better.
He had nothing to do with it proceeding, he just announced that he did, to fool a lot of people.