Regarding autopsy findings on Darrin Hanna.

PRESS RELEASE

From: tomrudd@comcast.net


To: dhinkel@tribune.com, jmasteson@stmedianetwork.com, aalderman@tribune.com

Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2012 3:44:14 PM

Subject: PRESS RELEASE: regarding autopsy findings on Darrin Hanna.

From the published statements coming from the Lake County Coroner the cause of Mr. Hanna's death "was impossible to pinpoint" and that his manner of death "could not be determined," it is obvious that the role of coroner requires solid and extensive medical training, knowledge and expertise contrary to the Lake County Coroner's opinion and statements that it does not during this campaign. This case proves beyond reasonable doubt that the Lake County Coroner's role is more than a mere administrative and grief counseling function. The coroner is not just some figurehead. We don't need another high paid public official (currently earning $125000 plus benefits in addition to his $75000 pension as a former disgraced Waukegan policeman) to come in and just turn on the lights in the morning, play connect the dots all day long, sign some papers with occasional episodes of being "compassionate." Too bad he forgot how to be the latter with the Hanna family.

The inability and/or unwillingness of the Lake County Coroner to give an unequivocal Cause Of Death (COD) and/or Manner Of Death (MOD) after both the forensic autopsy and the four month investigation into Mr Hanna's death speaks volumes about insuring that the coroner's function and findings must be independent of law enforcement agencies. While the Lake County Coroner's office must cooperate with law enforcement to insure a timely, thorough and complete scientific medical death investigation under their joint jurisdiction the coroner's office must not be a handmaiden of any law enforcement agency.

That said the following concerns and questions must be brought up, addressed and answered. It seems that the autopsy report is not actually a public document until the Lake County States Attorney makes some sort of pronouncement per the news story. If thats the case does the coroner's pronouncement depend on or is contingent upon by the States Attorney? If not why not immediately release the autopsy report with a Cause Of Death (COD) and Manner Of Death (MOD)? The Lake County Coroner should make the forensic pathologist available for public interview and questioning to explain, clarify and support the autopsy findings. The public demands and needs to know if you, the Lake County Coroner, changed any of the forensic pathologist's medical determinations/findings based on the autopsy performed. And if so why. Is someone "cooking the books" Mr. Coroner?

On the other hand, if the your office determination is based on some pending agreement with the Lake County States Attorney office then what is the purpose of your office issuing any pronouncement or autopsy findings when whatever your office says is apparently revocable if the States Attorney decides not to go along with your office's findings. WHERE IS YOUR OBJECTIVITY, MR CORONER.

In my opinion, Mr Hanna's family is correct in saying there's "equivocation" as well as his mother's statement "despite everything chronic..... we're talking about what happened that night. Darrin would still be living if not for the trauma." So is the family's attorney correct in his quote: "saying everything is a factor is like saying nothing is a factor." This is intentional dilution by the Lake County Coroner with a blizzard of pre-existing conditions, which may or may not be germane: it just rehearsed obfuscation to cover up rogue North Chicago law enforcement murder.

So, Mr. Coroner, just what was the initiating disease or injury which started the "cascade" leading to Mr Hanna's death? Was it his long standing hypertension? Or was it his chronic drug abuse? Maybe it was his kidney disease. Better yet was it the use of the Taser by police. Just how many times was Mr. Hanna tased by the police for them to gain control of him: once, twice, a dozens? OR WAS HIS DEATH INITIATED BY INFLICTED TRAUMA FROM FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENT?

The coroner needs to be an independent, apolitical neutral medical death investigator. This coroner is anything but that and needs to be removed from office immediately.

Thomas A. Rudd, MS., MD., FCAP, FASCP, FACNP