Comments on Advance Indiana™: Jackson County Coroner Releases Few Details On Aaron Hall's Death

I think that this leads to alot of questions that ...

2009-07-28T14:55:06.775-05:00

I think that this leads to alot of questions that there is only one murderer in Crothersville , IN and it might not be Anthony Stockelman.
Tabitha Hardy- Stockelman

Terry Gray also worked on your campaign for sherif...

2007-09-01T20:40:00.000-05:00

Terry Gray also worked on your campaign for sheriff last year. The one Lahrman came from behind to win by a landslide because he was next in line for the throne.
If he is having trouble finding a job now that he is no longer working for the sheriff's department perhaps he should contact Tony Siedl with the Lawrence County Sheriff's department. While Siedl was an FBI agent, he and Terry Gray worked very well together in covering up another case in Jackson County. There are probably some things in Lawrence County that Gray could assist him with now.
Let's see now a good man who is trying to raise a family...dejavu. Those are the same words Tabitha Stockelman used to describe her husband before deciding that "DNA" evidence convinced her of his guilt.

I am the Coroner of Jackson County...and I just wa...

2007-07-18T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am the Coroner of Jackson County...and I just wanted to address a few things.

First, "ForensicDoc" is correct in that only certain information is a "public record". You also have to understand that the case is still being investigated which makes for good reason to keep information limited to those who need it.

I also want to address our investigation into this case. Indiana State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department investigated all while the Deputy Prosecutor was on scene overseeing the investigation. Terry Gray was, in the past, a deputy coroner, however Terry has not investigated a death with our office in almost a year. It should also be noted that Terry was a Reserve Deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department up until the time of this death.

Terry is a good man, has tried to be a good father after the death of his wife and the boys mother, and in no way should be held responsible for the action of his son or anyone else.

This was a tragedy for many people including Aaron's family and friends as well the family and friends of those arrested. We should all keep these people in our prayers.

Your opinion is ÅBSOLUTELY correct Gary. The law ...

2007-06-18T11:15:00.000-05:00

Your opinion is ÅBSOLUTELY correct Gary. The law is very clear and with HIPPA in place now, has become more restrictive. Remember, an autopsy is a medical procedure, and just like your medical records are confidential, so too are the medical records of the deceased.

Here is how a Public Access Counselor's opinion de...

2007-06-18T10:41:00.000-05:00

Here is how a Public Access Counselor's opinion describes what the law requires:

Notwithstanding the investigatory records exception, certain information is required to be
disclosed when a coroner investigates a death. Under IC 36-2-14-18, certain information from
the investigation of the death, including the name, age, address, sex and race of the deceased,
among other things, must be disclosed. Also, information regarding the autopsy, limited to the date, the person who performed the autopsy, where the autopsy was performed, and a conclusion
as to the probable cause of death, the probable manner of death, and the probable mechanism of
death must be disclosed. IC 36-2-14-18(a)(5). A full copy of the autopsy report is not required
to be disclosed, pursuant to IC 36-2-14-18(c).

Proves my point exactly Gary. The final report is...

2007-06-18T10:31:00.000-05:00

Proves my point exactly Gary. The final report is different from the verdict. The verdict itself is public record and includes decedent demographic(s), where body was found, who found the body, government agencies and officials at the scene and CAUSE AND MANNER of death. The specifics of the autopsy examination and final report are to be viewed only by the next of kin, any and all agencies investigating the death(ie investigatory evidence), and insurance compaines for the purpose of paying out death benefits in the case of suspected suicide vs. homicide vs accidental death. Obviously many life insurance policies will not pay out in the case of suicide, and MOST companies request a final report before processing benefit claims to next of kin.

IC 36-2-14-10Coroner's verdict and report; autopsy...

2007-06-18T09:48:00.000-05:00

IC 36-2-14-10
Coroner's verdict and report; autopsy records; confidentiality
Sec. 10. (a) After viewing the body, hearing the evidence, and making all necessary inquiries, the coroner shall draw up and sign his verdict on the death under consideration. The coroner shall also make a written report giving an accurate description of the deceased person, his name if it can be determined, and the amount of money and other property found with the body. The verdict and the written report are subject to inspection and copying under IC 5-14-3-3.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e), a photograph, video recording, or audio recording of an autopsy in the custody of a medical examiner is declared confidential for purposes of IC 5-14-3-4(a)(1).
(c) A surviving spouse may:
(1) view and copy a photograph or video recording; and
(2) listen to and copy an audio recording;
of the deceased spouse's autopsy. If there is no surviving spouse, the surviving parents shall have access to the records under this section. If there is no surviving spouse or parent, an adult child shall have access to the records.
(d) Upon making a written request, a unit (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23), the state, an agency of the state, the federal government, or an agency of the federal government, while in performance of their official duty, may:
(1) view and copy a photograph or video recording; and
(2) listen to and copy an audio recording;
of an autopsy. Unless otherwise required in the performance of official duties, the identity of the deceased must remain confidential.
(e) The coroner or the coroner's designee having custody of a photograph, a video recording, or an audio recording of an autopsy may use or allow the use of the photograph, video recording, or audio recording of the autopsy for case consultation with a pathologist or forensic scientist. The coroner or the coroner's designee having custody of a photograph, a video recording, or an audio recording of an autopsy may also use or allow the use of the photograph, video recording, or audio recording for training or educational purposes (as defined in IC 16-39-7.1-1.5) if all information that identifies the individual on whom the autopsy was performed is masked or removed from the photograph, video recording, or audio recording. For purposes of this subsection, information that identifies an individual consists of:
(1) the name;
(2) the address;
(3) the Social Security number;
(4) a full view of the face; or
(5) identifying marks on the body that are unrelated to the medical condition or medical status;

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of the deceased individual. A coroner or coroner's designee who allows the use of autopsy information under this subsection has a duty to disclose to each person to whom the coroner or coroner's designee releases it that the information is confidential and may not be used for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was originally released. Information disclosed under this subsection is confidential. A coroner or coroner's designee who fails to disclose the confidentiality restrictions of this information commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(f) Except as provided in subsection (e), the coroner or the coroner's designee having custody of a photograph, a video, or an audio recording of an autopsy may not permit a person to:
(1) view or copy the photograph or video recording; and
(2) listen to or copy the audio recording;
of an autopsy without a court order.
(g) A court, upon a showing of good cause, may issue an order authorizing a person to:
(1) view or copy a photograph or video recording; and
(2) listen to or copy an audio recording;
of an autopsy, and may prescribe any restrictions or stipulations that the court considers appropriate.
(h) In determining good cause under subsection (g), the court shall consider:
(1) whether the disclosure is necessary for the public evaluation of governmental performance;
(2) the seriousness of the intrusion into the family's right to privacy;
(3) whether the disclosure of the photograph, video recording, or audio recording is by the least intrusive means available; and
(4) the availability of similar information in other public records, regardless of form.
(i) In all cases, the viewing, copying, listening to, or other handling of a photograph, video recording, or audio recording of an autopsy must be under the direct supervision of the coroner, or the coroner's designee, who is the custodian of the record.
(j) A surviving spouse shall be given:
(1) reasonable notice of the petition filed with the court to view or copy a photograph or video recording of an autopsy or a petition to listen to or copy an audio recording;
(2) a copy of the petition filed with the court to view or copy a photograph or video recording of an autopsy or a petition to listen to or copy an audio recording; and
(3) reasonable notice of the opportunity to be present and heard at any hearing on the matter.
(k) If there is no surviving spouse, the notice under subsection (j) must be given to the deceased's parents, and if the deceased has no living parent, the notice must be given to the adult children of the deceased.
(l) A coroner or coroner's designee who:
(1) is the custodian of a photograph, a video recording, or an
audio recording of an autopsy; and
(2) knowingly or intentionally violates this section;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(m) A person who knowingly or intentionally violates a court order issued under this section commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(n) A person who:
(1) receives autopsy information under subsection (e); and
(2) knowingly or intentionally uses the information in a manner other than the specified purpose for which it was released;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.

Forensic doc, I wasn't accusing, just asking...and...

2007-06-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

Forensic doc, I wasn't accusing, just asking...and if someone could please cite the statute, it would be helpful. Frankly, I don't believe it. It flies in the face of the public records laws, and it also sounds like one of those things that, the more often it's repeated, takes on a life of its own.

I think it's public record unless the prosecutor needs some piece for court proceedings, in which case, I beleive, the prosecutor goes to court and specifically blocks a particular coroner's report from being released, in full or partially. Could be wrong. There's usually some smart and quick-clicking reader here who pastes and copies pertinent statutes. Very helpful soul(s).

And are you sure there's a statute that allows or requires the coroner to release anything to an insurance company? On what authority--just sending a letter saying "we are the life insurer and we want your records" ? There's a slippery slope. Or my healthy distrust of all insurers.

On the other hand, it's all public record, as I suspect, no harm, no foul...

Actually, the only thing that is public record fro...

2007-06-18T08:14:00.000-05:00

Actually, the only thing that is public record from the Coroner is cause and manner of death. Anything else is NOT public record and available only through a court-ordered subpoena. The Coroner's office is required to release the final report to one of only 3 persons. The immediate next-of-kin, the insurance company(ies), and the prosecutor's office. This is clearly defined by state statute. So, before accusing the county coroner of a cover-up, a review of state law would be most prudent.

Every day that the full details of this case are n...

2007-06-18T08:07:00.000-05:00

Every day that the full details of this case are not known, has to be another day of agony for this poor family. I pray for them nightly.

It is fairly apparent that this young man died a horrile, violent and slow death. For loved ones, nothing could be more hurtful and agonizing.

Who's left to protect by withholding information? Is the coroner allowed uner Indiana law to withhold such information, and if so, at what times and udner what circumstances?

8:17 - the contents of the coroner's report are of...

2007-06-17T21:16:00.000-05:00

8:17 - the contents of the coroner's report are of particular interest b/c there are allegations that other weapons were used besides those that King and Gray admitted to using. I'm not particularly surprised that the coroner would claim the right to withold the report; I'm going to request a copy anyway on my next trip.

It's funny. You have to go up to the top story to get the official reports, but then you have to go to another office one floor down to pay for them before you can exit. Ah, how I love small town courthouses.

garyj: the family already has a copy of the coroner's report, so the absence of full disclosure is not for any protection of them. And while I certainly agree with your repudiation of hate crimes, I'm not so sure about your logic.

I think one remarkable thing that this case does is provide us all with an opportunity to re-examine our thoughts about crime, gays, freedoms, truth, and death. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

817.. some things are better left unknown. For the...

2007-06-17T20:49:00.000-05:00

817.. some things are better left unknown.
For the protection of the family and (no pun intended) not to insult to injury!

I disagree with hate crimes. If you dislike someone, it should be for reasons other than biggotry or just plain ignorance.

I wouldn't draw any conclusions form the mention o...

2007-06-17T20:17:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't draw any conclusions form the mention of the bands.

But what's the deal with the coroner saying he won't release any more details without a court order. Is the law different in Jackson County?

Coroners are elected public officials. Their work product is public record.

Strange.

Thank you, Denise. Your work is equally admirable....

2007-06-17T18:02:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Denise. Your work is equally admirable.

chucklesThe "Stone Temple Pilots" and "Alice in ...

2007-06-17T18:00:00.000-05:00

*chuckles*

The "Stone Temple Pilots" and "Alice in Chains" were both popular bands in the 90's. Think "grunge."

The significance of this "quote" of Aaron's is that he's (rather cleverly) indicated that he's a hetero man seeking a hetero woman.

Thanks for the link up, and for the updated coroner's report. Your own dedication to this story continues to be inspiring.