2nd Autopsy Finds Boy Beaten At Boot Camp Died Of Suffocation By Guards
http://www.local6.com/firstnews/9167761/detail.html
"POSTED: 2:35 pm EDT May 5, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- A 14-year-old boy whose beating by guards at a juvenile boot camp was caught on videotape died
because the guards suffocated him, a medical examiner said Friday.
The findings of the second autopsy on Martin Lee Anderson conflict with the initial ruling from a different medical examiner that the boy died from complications of sickle cell trait, a usually benign blood disorder.
"Martin Anderson's death was caused by suffocation due to actions of the guards at the boot camp," said Dr. Vernard Adams, who conducted the second autopsy after an investigation was ordered into the boy's death.
Adams said the suffocation was
caused by hands blocking the boy's mouth, as well as the "forced inhalation of ammonia fumes" that caused his vocal cords to spasm, blocking his upper airway.
Anderson was kneed, struck and dragged by guards on his first day at the Bay County Sheriff's boot camp for juvenile offenders.
He was eventually was taken to a Pensacola hospital where he died the next day, Jan. 6. The camp security camera captured the beating, and it was later broadcast nationally.
The death sparked protests at the state Capitol, forced lawmakers to scrap the military-style camps and led to the resignation of the state's top law enforcement officer, who started the boot camp in Panama City when he was Bay County sheriff.
Bush said Florida Department of Law Enforcement chief Guy Tunnell shouldn't have sent e-mails to the current sheriff questioning those who criticized the boot camp concept. "
If this is how the boy really died then the gaurds who did it should be brought up on charges just like anyone else who would kill a child in this manner.
