The body was found in the morning after Scalia did not show up for breakfast. The body was moved to El Paso at 3 AM.
That’s at least 18 hours.
During that time neither of the two JP’s nor the County Judge on whom the duty devolves saw the body.
In all that time the County Judge did not see the body and, without an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the found body, literally phones it in that the cause of death is “natural”.
I think we’re missing the main issue in these comments.
The question of motive is always important to determine if an investigation is needed. If a spouse in a bad marriage dies, it usually merits deeper investigation.
So what is the downside for Democrats with Scalia’s death? I can’t think of any. And what is the upside? It’s so high that the celebration of his passing is one of the highest I’ve seen on liberal sites.
Here some things the Democratic party has now that he’s died.
1. A bludgeon on Republicans being “unfair” if they don’t confirm Obama’s appointment. This brings out the unfair partisan card that will help Dems in some swing states.
2. A Supreme Court that cannot overturn an appeals court ruling for Dems in a contested election.
3. A Supreme Court that can stop Trump or Cruz’s election for any reason. How far will the left go to keep them out of office?
Net result: Campaign optics that help Dems all the way. Multiple roadmaps to cheat to the win with one more impediment removed.
So, the benefit is clearly there. If a group of Dems (and it could be anyone with no clear connection to Washington Dems) decide one of the three most conservative justices need to be removed, which one will they choose? It makes the most sense to choose the one that’s the oldest and the least healthy. Choose the one that travels alone with no security. If you’re from an area of the country with hard-line old-school Democrats, invite him to your ranch. Use the local machine to cover the evidence quickly and you’re done.
There’s motive, means and opportunity. But nobody wants to look.