Oklahomans Protest at Medical Examiner's Office As Board Begins Search for New Chief

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Protestors gathered outside the State Department of Health building to voice concerns with the Medical Examiner's Office.

The Board of Medicolegal Investigations held a meeting Thursday to discuss the state of the M.E.'s Office, which they oversee.

The protestors oppose the board's decision earlier this year to fire former Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie Trant. More than one dozen people showed up to express their concerns and disappointment.

Kathy Young organized the protest because she said her son's autopsy last year was botched by the agency in charge of investigating suspicious and unnatural deaths.

"We're not going to take it lightly. We're going to stand up against it. We're going to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves," Young said.

Protestors chanted "Justice for the dead," while others held signs that read "Bring back Trant" and "No secret meetings."

Inside, the board met to discuss the open-position of Chief Medical Examiner. Earlier this year, the board fired Dr. Collie Trant for unknown reasons. The chairman of the board admits, finding his replacement will be a complex process and they have not taken any action so far.

"We do have several people who have expressed interest," said M.E.'s Office spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard.

Also at the meeting, and for the first time, the board heard a status update of the agency and the workload it faces.

"It was a really good step to inform the board on what's going on," Ballard said.

In 2009, the M.E.'s office handled nearly 19,000 deaths, which is almost the entire population of Bethany. The agency counted nearly 10,000 cremations and nearly 2,000 autopsies.

On average, five bodies are brought into the M.E.'s office every day, and pathologists spend nearly two hours on each autopsy.

As of today, there's a backlog of more than 1,100 cases and several positions are vacant. Money needed to fill those positions is something this agency is still seeking from lawmakers.

Although it's not a positive report, Cherokee Ballard said by getting a full understanding of what problems this agency faces, the board is prepared now more than ever before to correct the issues and move forward.

More on News9.com:
Audit Finds Overspending at M.E.'s Office
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie Trant Terminated
Former Medical Examiner Dr. Trant to Sue After Being Fired
Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner Placed on Leave
Possible Incriminating E-mails Discovered at M.E.'s Office
State Leaders Proposing M.E.'s Office, OSBI Merger
Medical Examiner's Office Out of Space to Store Bodies
Medical Examiner's Office Faces Thorough Review