MISSOURI — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has authorized a second autopsy on the body of Missouri teen Michael Brown.
This second autopsy would be performed by a federal medical examiner, Justice Department spokesman Brian Fallon said in a statement Sunday.
Brown was shot to death August 9 by a police officer after a confrontation as the teen walked down the street. Accounts of exactly what happened when Officer Darren Wilson stopped Brown vary widely.
Witnesses said they saw a scuffle between the officer and Brown at the police car before the young man was shot. Police said Brown struggled with the officer and reached for his weapon.
Several witnesses said Brown raised his hands and was not attacking the officer.
“Due to the extraordinary circumstances involved in this case and at the request of the Brown family, Attorney General Holder has instructed Justice Department officials to arrange for an additional autopsy,” the statement said.
“This independent examination will take place as soon as possible. Even after it is complete, Justice Department officials still plan to take the state-performed autopsy into account in the course of their investigation.”
Holder briefed President Obama on the case Sunday, a White House official said. The two also will meet Monday at the White House for an update on the federal investigation into the shooting.
There will be a third autopsy, at the request of the family.
Anthony Gray, a lawyer for the Brown family, said that high-profile pathologist Michael Baden would conduct an autopsy on the teenager’s body. Baden testified in the O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector and Drew Peterson murder trials.
“We are very focused on getting the autopsy done, getting the ballistic experts,” Crump told the rally audience.
