Family Plans to Sue Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Garvin County family said it plans to sue the State Medical Examiner's Office.

Chanda Turner was found shot to death nearly a decade ago outside her home in Pauls Valley. At the time, her boyfriend was inside the home and said he never heard a gunshot. The 23-year-old's death was ruled a suicide, but her parents insisted she was murdered.

To prove it, they recently hired a pathologist from Colorado who reviewed the case and came to the conclusion that Chanda was murdered. The Turner family said former Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Collie Trant also reviewed the case and came to the same conclusion.

The Turner family said it was finally making some progress, but that was before Dr. Trant was fired earlier this year by the board that oversees the M.E.'s office. The Turner case was then turned over to another Dr. Chai Choi, a staff pathologist. On Monday, the M.E.'s office announced Dr. Choi's review was complete and it would not change the outcome of the autopsy.

"Medically, we did not find any reason to change the manner of death for Chanda Turner," said Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard.

Joe and Donna Turner said they're next step is to file a lawsuit for defamation of character on behalf of their daughter.

"We will not give up. That's what they want us to do, but I have news for them. We're a lot tougher than they are," Joe Turner said.

The Turner's attorney, Jaye Mendros, said a formal complaint will also be filed with the organization that determines the accreditation of the agency. Medros goes on to say Dr. Robert Bux, the pathologist from Colorado, will be in Oklahoma next week to meet with the M.E.'s office to discuss the findings.

"The people in Colorado are more protected than the people in Oklahoma, because in Oklahoma we have a murderer out there walking the streets because of the ineptitude of the M.E.'s office," Mendros said.

More on News9.com: Family Worries ME's Situation Will Delay Answers into Daughter's Death | Families Want Former Chief Medical Examiner to Finish Autopsies