Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that would require state medical examiners to be certified forensic pathologists. The House of Representatives today approved Senate changes to House Bill 1456, and the bill now awaits Gov. Haley Barbour's signature.

The bill requires that any state medical examiner conducting an autopsy in a criminal case have a medical degree and certification from the American Board of Pathology. This requirement would disqualify Dr. Steven Hayne, a Brandon-based medical examiner who, despite not having board certification, was the state's de facto medical examiner for two decades, performing an average of four autopsies per day. Hayne has gained notoriety recently as DNA testing has contradicted his testimony in several cases, including two wrongful convictions overturned with help from the Innocence Project.

The Department of Public Safety removed Hayne from its list of approved medical examiners in 2008, but, as Reason Magazine reported in August 2009, some county coroners' offices have attempted to use Hayne's services since then.

Attorney General Jim Hood opposed H.B. 1456, distributing a letter earlier this month that called the bill "potentially harmful" for threatening cases that relied on Hayne's testimony.

Previous Comments

ID

156776

Comment

Can't believe Jim Hood would oppose this bill. Then again, I guess he would hate for the defense to have a fair shot...

Author

jbreland

Date

2010-03-17T17:10:09-06:00

ID

156777

Comment

I can't believe Hood is opposing this too. It's a no-brainer to me.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-03-17T21:18:26-06:00

ID

156781

Comment

On the same day the House passed the bill to mandate medical examiners be board certified, Madison police arrested Tennessee Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Bruce Levy for felony marijuana possession. Levy is the chief executive officer of Nashville-based Global Forensics, the company Mississippi contracted to do its autopsies after effectively firing Dr. Steven Hayne. Radley Balko at Reason magazine"pretty incredible timing." He writes: Levy was arrested after receiving a package of marijuana delivered to his hotel room by undercover officers with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. According to early reports, the amount of marijuana in the package was small, but just enough to trigger a felony charge. Levy was in Mississippi to testify in a case for which he performed the autopsy.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2010-03-18T09:21:44-06:00

ID

156783

Comment

This flies in the face of Jim Hood's past, relative to decisions and causes he has fought for. What is wrong with MS having a qualified, board certified MD as its medical examiner? This only makes sense to me. Let's get this show on the road!

Author

justjess

Date

2010-03-18T09:44:39-06:00

ID

156805

Comment

Then again, if we can't put innocent people in prison, what will the Innocence Project do with their time? Lets thank Hood for keeping this project alive.

Author

jbreland

Date

2010-03-19T12:17:46-06:00

ID

156807

Comment

LOL @ Jbreland, He can use that in his campaign ads.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-03-19T13:55:23-06:00