Investigation of the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office
And
Dr. George McCormick

On September 20, 2005 longtime Caddo Parish Coroner Dr. George McCormick died of a massive heart attack. The parish was suddenly left with hundreds of incomplete autopsies and unsigned death certificates. McCormick, a Pathologist, had served as Coroner since 1983. After his death, an investigation by the Caddo Parish District Attorney discovered that McCormick often did not actually perform or even attend autopsies. Many irregularities have been reported.

The interviews conducted during the course of the Caddo Parish District Attorney investigation were made available to counsel in various cases. And, we are informed that the inmate paralegals in the Angola Penitentiary have even been provided a copy.

The Louisiana Appellate Project has obtained a copy of the investigation transcripts in .pdf format. The LAP and several private attorneys are working on some of these cases, seeking remands for new trial motions, etc. Some cases will be in post conviction posture due to their age. Some may not have even reached the trial stage.

Because this information has the potential to affect literally hundreds of cases LACDL is making these materials available to assist public and private counsel with dissemination of this information. Cpoies of the District Attorney investigation and interviews  can ber obtained by contacting LACDL offices. LAPDA is also making this information available at their web site at http://www.lapda.org.

We will continue to post documents related to this breaking event as we learn about their existence. If you are aware of any litigation or information related to the operation of the Caddo Parish Coroners officer please contact Elton Richey at ebrlaw@bellsouth.net, Jim Looney looney@appellateproject.org, and G. Paul Marx at paul@sprynet.com.