SocietyHow medical examiners cover up for police killings and...

How medical examiners cover up for police killings and deny justice for grieving families

-

How medical examiners cover up for police killings and deny justice for grieving families

David Fowler, Maryland’s former Chief Medical Examiner, has been at the center of controversy following his testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd. In his testimony, Fowler infamously argued that Chauvin was not responsible for Floyd’s death in 2020. However, this is not the first time that Fowler’s actions have been called into question. His history of protecting law enforcement officers has denied justice to many more families, and it is time for his malpractices to be brought to light.

Fowler’s testimony in the Chauvin trial was met with widespread criticism and disbelief. Despite overwhelming evidence and multiple medical experts testifying that Floyd’s death was a result of Chauvin’s actions, Fowler stood by his opinion that Floyd’s death was caused by underlying health conditions and not by Chauvin’s knee on his neck for over nine minutes. This testimony was seen as a blatant attempt to protect law enforcement officers and undermine the Black Lives Matter movement.

But this is not the first time that Fowler has been accused of protecting law enforcement officers. During his tenure as Maryland’s Chief Medical Examiner, Fowler was known for his controversial rulings in cases involving police brutality. In 2010, Fowler ruled the death of 19-year-old Anton Black, who died in police custody, as an accident caused by a heart condition. However, an independent autopsy later revealed that Black’s death was a result of positional asphyxia, similar to Floyd’s case. This ruling by Fowler denied justice to Black’s family and allowed the officers involved to escape accountability.

Fowler’s actions have also been called into question in the case of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man who died in police custody in 2015. Fowler was the lead medical examiner in Gray’s case and ruled his death as an accident caused by a spinal cord injury. This ruling was later contradicted by an independent autopsy, which found that Gray’s death was a homicide caused by the officers’ failure to secure him properly in the police van. Fowler’s ruling in this case once again protected the officers involved and denied justice to Gray’s family.

These are just a few examples of Fowler’s history of protecting law enforcement officers and denying justice to victims of police brutality. His actions have not only caused harm to the families of those who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement, but they have also perpetuated a system of injustice and inequality.

It is concerning that someone in such a high position of authority, whose duty is to provide unbiased and accurate medical examinations, has consistently sided with law enforcement officers. This raises questions about the integrity and credibility of Fowler’s rulings and brings into question the entire justice system.

Fowler’s actions have also had a detrimental impact on the Black community. By denying the role of police officers in the deaths of Black individuals, he has perpetuated the narrative that Black lives are expendable and that police officers are above the law. This only serves to further erode trust in law enforcement and the justice system, and it is a disservice to the Black community who have been disproportionately affected by police brutality.

It is time for Fowler’s malpractices to be addressed and for him to be held accountable for his actions. The families of those who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement deserve justice and closure, and Fowler’s biased rulings have denied them that. It is also crucial for the justice system to have individuals in positions of power who are unbiased and committed to upholding justice for all, regardless of race or profession.

In conclusion, David Fowler’s actions in the Chauvin trial have brought attention to his history of protecting law enforcement officers and denying justice to victims of police brutality. It is time for his malpractices to be exposed and for him to be held accountable for his actions. The families of those who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement deserve justice, and it is the responsibility of the justice system to ensure that justice is served. Only then can we begin to work towards a more just and equal society for all.

more news