Associated Press No Autopsy Likely for McVeigh By Jon Sarche DENVER (AP) -- A judge said Monday he approves of
Timothy McVeigh's agreement with a coroner and the
government that no autopsy would be conducted after he
is executed for the Oklahoma City bombing.
But the judge said he lacks the authority to order
that no autopsy be performed.
Lawyers for McVeigh, the federal government and the
coroner in Vigo County, Ind., signed the agreement March
9.
McVeigh's lawyer said he expects the agreement will
be honored.
''We anticipate no problems. At the same time, this
is the first procedure of this kind in 38 years by the
federal government,'' McVeigh lawyer Rob Nigh Jr. said
Monday.
McVeigh's attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Richard
Matsch for a ruling to ensure that no autopsy be carried
out.
''I don't have the authority to make this agreement
an order of the court,'' Matsch said. ''I do, of course,
approve of it as an appropriate solution to an awkward
situation for the coroner and everyone involved.''
He added: ''I'd like to be helpful, but I also have
to be careful about my jurisdiction.''
Matsch, who presided over McVeigh's trial, said he
believes his jurisdiction in McVeigh's case ends the
moment McVeigh dies. McVeigh, 32, is scheduled to be
executed May 16 at the federal prison in Vigo County.
McVeigh objects to an autopsy for religious, ethical
and philosophical reasons, his lawyers have said.
Under the agreement, McVeigh will submit to an
examination by the county coroner before his execution
to look for signs of physical abuse. He has agreed to
sign a statement that says he has not been abused while
in custody. If he refuses to sign, an autopsy will be
conducted.
After the execution, the coroner will examine
McVeigh's body and take photographs and X-rays if
necessary. She will be able to perform an autopsy if she
sees evidence of abuse and if McVeigh's attorney
approves. Any medical information gathered by the
coroner's office will remain confidential.
McVeigh was convicted of murder, conspiracy and
weapons-related charges for the April 19, 1995, bombing
of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma
City. The explosion killed 168 people.
Copyright © 2001. Associated Press. All rights reserved. saved from url: http://www.newsday.com/ap/national/ap162.htm
March 19 , 2001
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