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Expert's Conclusions Bring Relief to Teenager's Family

an ABC Action News report 03/14/06

TAMPA - After exhuming their son's body for a 12-hour second autopsy, the family of Martin Lee Anderson is finally getting some relief.

There was no official word from state investigators, but the family's expert forensic pathologist announced two conclusions Tuesday morning: the 14-year-old boot camp beating victim did not die from sickle cell trait, as his first Bay County autopsy concluded, nor did he die from any natural causes at all.

"After a very thorough 12-hour medical autopsy in Tampa…we all agree he did not die of sickle trait," Dr. Michael Baden stated. "It didn't contribute or didn't cause the death, certainly." Martin's case has made national headlines because there is video of him being apparently beaten at a Bay County juvenile boot camp just hours before he died. But a medical examiner ruled that his death was actually the result of sickle cell trait, a usually benign genetic condition not uncommon in African-Americans.


Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober was appointed to investigate the incident, so the family decided to exhume their son's body for Monday's second autopsy by Dr. Vernard Adams in Tampa. Baden was asked by the family to sit in on that procedure, which took all day yesterday.

Among those on hand was Dr. Charles Siebert, who conducted the initial autopsy for Bay County.

"He was there, he heard all of our opinions, he did not object or defend himself. The opinions were, of Dr. Adams and I, this was not sickle trait and the first diagnosis was wrong," Baden stated.

It could be weeks before the official results are released, but Martin's parents seemed visibly relieved by Baden's early conclusions Tuesday morning. The teen's mother told reporters that she had long known "the truth," but was pleased to finally have experts agreeing with her.

"I'm glad that I did make the right decision to pull my baby up -- which I did not want to -- just to get the truth out," Gina Jones said. "Now the truth is out, and I want justice. I want the guards and nurse to be arrested. It's time now."

"I'd like to say that this morning, I feel kind of at ease. Maybe my son can get his rest now. He can get some justice," added Martin's father, Robert Jones.

 

 
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