The Chanda Turner Reform Act (SB250) has been signed into law, and will go into effect Nov. 1, 2011! Families can now appeal their loved-ones' death certificates!

(Submitted by Donna Edwards, Gary's mother): 

GARY EDWARDS died in the Marlow, Oklahoma city jail in 2006.  The autopsy report, prepared by Chai Choi, stated cause of death was hanging, and manner of death was suicide.  There were several errors in the autopsy report, and there was absolutely no reason that this young man would have hung himself in the jail when he had just been arrested on a minor charge and was to be released in a few hours.  Read on and prepare to be shocked. 

Gary was only 25 years old when was arrested on October 31, 2006 for public intoxication at a convenience store a couple blocks away from his home. Once he was placed under arrest and arrived at the jail, he was allowed a phone call. He called his mother Donna Edwards at 7:09 p.m. He told his mom he had been arrested for public intox and was going to have to spend four hours in the jail. He was mad at the officers and saying they were stealing his money. Donna (his mom) told him to get some sleep, and his wife (Heather) would be there in four hours to pick him up. He said, “Ok mom I love you and I’ll talk to you in a little while.”

On November 1, 2006 (the next morning) around 8:30 a.m., Donna called the jail to see if her son had posted bond. The dispatcher told her to hang on and put Leroy Walker, Chief of Police on the line.  Walker told Gary’s mother that there had been an altercation with her son the night before and that her son had hung himself. The mother in great distress said, “What? Hung himself?  Is he ok?” The chief replied, “No ma’am, your son is dead.”  

Bursting into tears, Donna immediately handed the phone to her husband (Gary’s father). He asked what was going on and the Chief replied that their son was dead and was sent to Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. On November 2, 2006 the family went and made funeral arrangements. After the funeral was over, the phone calls began. The family wanted answers. How this could have happen to their son? They NEVER believed he died from suicide. Searching for a lawyer to take the case, they finally found John Staurt of Staurt, Frieda, and Hammons Law Firm in Duncan, Oklahoma. On July 3, 2007, the Edwards family employed John to represent them in a negligence case against the city of Marlow. September of 2009 the case was settled out of court.

In late October 2009, the family decided to contact a forensic scientist out of Alaska to help them get answers they were still lacking. After speaking briefly to forensic scientist Brent Turvey, he wanted all the information about the case. He then wrote a report that the family thought would be of great assistance in their son’s case, for one because it made sense. Brent Turvey told the family to take his report to the District Attorney and get a new investigation involving the death of their son.

The report explains how the investigation was inadequate from the crime scene to the M.E’s office. The crime scene photos are inconsistent with the autopsy report. There were unexplained cuts and bruises listed on the autopsy. There were cuts that were NOT listed on the autopsy as well. Gary’s jeans were also examined by Brent Turvey, who noted unexplained stains. He advised to have the jeans tested for blood in the area of the left front pocket.

The DA received Mr. Turvey's report and still DENIED opening a new investigation on the jailers who work in his County.  The report was also denied by the O.S.B.I., according to Dennis Gay of the DA’s office.  

The family is still working hard to find justice for their son’s death. They intend to explore EVERY legal avenue until their questions are answered.    

To see October 26, 2010 news stories regarding Mike Griffin, one of the employees who worked on Boo's case, click these links: FOX25 NEWS9 

Listen to The Roth Show's segment on Gary by clicking HERE (his story follows that of Curtis Prescott, another JFTD case). Lory Roth appropriately describes the handling of Gary's case as "a horror show of weirdness."

Poem written by Aunt Missy Robinson:

On October 26, 2010, Mike Griffen, who had resigned from the ME's Office in September, was busted stealing drugs like morphine from the M.E.'s Office.  Griffen was present at Boo's autopsy according to this paper-work.
 

With the illustrious Chai Choi conducting Boo's autopsy, and another employee,   Griffin, with an obvious drug habit in attendance, it is unsurprising tthat Boo's report was full of errors.

* * * * * 

REMEMBER JOYCE GILCHRIST?

Chai Choi's autopsy report was reviewed by another expert and found to contain errors, much like the error-riddled "revised" report in Chanda Turner's case that made local news.  Choi was also the pathologist involved in the Heather Trask case, where she amended her autopsy report after meeting with the District Attorney in a way that arguably helped the prosecution; this apparently left the jury that acquitted Heather Trask quite unimpressed with Dr. Choi.

Does this story sound eerily familiar?

Listen to the Sept. 14, 2010 CRIMEWIRE show on Gary's death in the Marlow, Ok jail by clicking HERE.

And read CRIMEWIREBLOG "Botched Investigation in Oklahoma" regarding Boo's suspicious death HERE.

Please print, sign and circulate the PETITION in support of the Chanda Turner Reform Bill.  Without accountability, pathologists like Chai Choi remain unaccountable to the public they are supposed to serve, all paid for by our hard-earned tax dollars. 

WITH YOUR SIGNATURES, WE WILL PUT A STOP TO THIS NOW!