......
Jumping off of these posts, in this
interview with the Daily Mail, the sheriff states:
"the medical examiner believes it’s a suicide based on what they saw. They have a more limited evidence bank to pick from.
'I have forensics and the crime scene and witness interviews and phone records and everything. "
And from "inmyhumbleopinion"s post there's this quote regarding the ME:
"The medical examiner's office has not released any records to support its finding.
Sheriff Salazar has not seen a piece of paper yet that states more than cause or manner of death and the lack of narrative which could explain such a theory is proving frustrating."
**********************
Is it just me, or does the sheriff seem to be blatantly attempting to downplay the responsibility of the medical examiner and also, IMO, come off as just disrespectful, as if the ME lacks credibility?
For reference (
BBM):
Bexar County - Medical Examiner
...As an
impartial, independent agency, the Medical Examiner strives to serve the public, medical professionals and justice system of our community by
providing objective, valid and unbiased medical opinions on cause and manner of death....
Under Texas state law, the Medical Examiners investigate deaths in Bexar County that are due to trauma or injury, intoxication, foul play, undetermined causes, or sudden and unexpected natural disease. This investigation may take many forms, but often involves an autopsy examination of the deceased person
. It also involves investigation of the death scene, medical records, and other facets of the decedent's life and death, and usually includes an analysis of blood and other body fluids in our Toxicology Laboratory to detect drugs, alcohol, or other foreign substances.
ALSO
Below is an interesting informational read as well about the role and responsibilities if the ME, even the comments at bottom. (Particularly this closing comment: "
the value of the Coroner/ME's office is clear. We as a society would not want the police/sheriff's office--agencies that have the authority to use force--to also have a monopoly on the investigation of deaths. Indeed, giving the Coroner/ME final authority on death pronouncement and COD/MOD determination is a significant separation of powers.... "
7 Common Mistakes Regarding Autopsy Reports