|
WJHG News Channel 7
Boot Camp Trial - Day Six of Testimony
- A Long Day in Court Oct
11, 2007
Reporter: Kristen Berset
Last Day of Boot Camp Testimony
Jurors in the Martin Lee Anderson
boot camp case heard the final testimony Wednesday, including 2 key
medical experts who say Anderson died of natural causes. It was
another emotion packed day.
It was a day filled with drama at
the trial of 8 former Bay County Boot Camp employees charged in the
death of the 14 year old Anderson. Presiding Judge Michael
Overstreet warned the audience several times about making comments
and noises. He then ordered several out of the courtroom.
"There's been complaints that ya'll
have been making noises through this trial. I've gotten them again
this morning. I gave you a fair warning yesterday. Do Not return to
this courtroom."
One of those banned from the
courtroom Wednesday afternoon was Anderson's father, Robert
Anderson. Earlier that morning Martin Anderson's mother, Gina Jones,
left the court room sobbing as a former Drill Instructor described
striking the teen's arm.
Defendant, Joseph Walsh the second,
was taken to Bay Medical Center after suffering a panic attack. But
after a short recess, the defense called it's key witness to the
stand.
"Dr. Seibert what is Anderson cause
of death?" “He died from complications of sickle cell trait."
Interim Bay County Medical Examiner
Dr Charles Siebert performed the initial autopsy on Anderson the day
after he died.
"Did holding ammonia to his nose
and a hand over his mouth and forcing him to breath contribute to
his death? No it did not"
Sieberts findings have been widely
criticized, "It's about the truth. You are trying to protect your
reputation - your career.” “No Sir, My reputation and career in this
state is in the trash."
So much so the state asked for
another autopsy performed by Dr Vernard Adams of Tampa. And after
Adams reported that Anderson died from suffocation by the drill
instructors, Dr. Siebert says he was asked to meet with Adams, state
prosecutor Pam Bondi, the Anderson’s and their civil lawyer Benjamin
Crump.
"As soon as I walked in they said
so you ready to change your death certificate? I said not with the
evidence I have seen, I'm not. Then discussion continued with Dr.
Baden, Ms. Bondi and Mr. Crump and they told me it'll be okay. We'll
just say you didn’t have all the information at the time."
But Dr. Siebert stood by his
findings.
"If not for sickle cell trait would
Anderson have survived the boot camp that day?” “ Yes"
And so does Sickle Cell expert Dr
Randy Eichner from the University of Oklahoma.
"In your opinion did Martin Lee
Anderson die as a result of sickle cell exertion collapse?" “Yes.”
”How certian are you?” “As close to
100% as you can be in medicine."
The testimony phase of the trial
ended Wednesday night after a very long day in the court room.
Court resumes Thursday at 10 am for
closing arguments.
|
