Maryland Autopsies Misclassified Black Homicide Victims, Officials Say
A Maryland audit of 87 in-custody deaths revealed at least 36 cases misclassified as anything other than homicide, exposing racial and pro-police bias within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner under Dr. David Fowler. These cases, largely involving sudden deaths following police restraint, were unanimously reclassified by review panels. Governor Moore issued an executive order to investigate the 41 cases flagged for potential reclassification and established a task force to address systemic issues. The audit also recommended improved law enforcement training and standardized procedures for investigating restraint-related deaths.
John Q. Hosedrinker