PARENTS AGAINST CORRUPTION AND COVER-UP
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Medical examiner gives contradictory testimony in Foster and Burkett cases
by Tom Burkett
Dr. James Beyer, the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for the Northern
Virginia Region, did the autopsy in the case of White House aide
Vincent Foster in 1993. He also was responsible for the autopsy in the
Tommy Burkett case. He conducted that autopsy on Dec. 3, 1991, one day
after the medical examiner's report identifying the manner of death as
suicide was signed and dated.
Beyer testified before the Senate Banking Committee Whitewater
Hearings on July 29, 1994. His comments regarding his conclusions in
the Foster case create a troubling picture of inconsistency and
double-talk, especially when compared to his statements in the Burkett
case.
Dr. Beyer specifically identified two items as leading him to a
conclusion of suicide in the Foster case. One was the presence of
"abundant powder residue in the wound;" the other was the absence of
trauma to the jaw.
In the Burkett case, Beyer's own report acknowledges the absence of
powder residue in the area of the wound.
In the Burkett case, Beyer failed to identify a broken lower jaw,
visible battering of the right ear, and abrasions on the chest. These
items were visible to the naked eye, and have been recorded in a
second autopsy.
Dr. Beyer seems to want it both ways. If the presence of powder
residue was evidence to Dr. Beyer of suicide in the Foster case, why
was the absence of powder residue not evidence of homicide in the
Burkett case? If the absence of trauma to the jaw was evidence of
suicide in the Foster case why was the presence of trauma to the jaw
as well as other visible injuries to the ear and chest not evidence of
homicide in the Burkett case?
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Dr. Beyer also seems to have great difficulty keeping track of what
procedures he actually completes.
In his Senate testimony, Dr. Beyer tried to explain missing X-rays.
The Park Police said he had discussed X-rays with them. His autopsy
report indicates that X-rays were taken. But he testified before the
Banking Committee that no X-rays were taken. He said he had no
explanation for the Park Police statement that he had discussed X-rays
with them. He also said he inadvertently checked this procedure on the
report even though the X-ray machine had been malfunctioning for 15
days.
In the Burkett case, "photography" is noted on the wound chart as
having been done, and Dr. Beyer showed Tommy's father photographs of
the body in the medical examiner's office on Jan. 2, 1992. He has
since denied in writing that any photos were taken except for a
close-up of the face.
In Dec. of 1993, a conviction for manslaughter was obtained against
the killer of another of Beyer's "suicides"--Timmy Easley, murdered in
Centreville, Va. in 1989. In that case, Dr. Beyer overlooked an injury
to the back of the hand, later identified by another pathologist as a
typical defense wound in a stabbing.
CALL THE HOUSE AND SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEES AND ASK FOR HEARINGS ON
THE FBI HANDLING OF THIS CASE. THE FOLLOWING 800 NUMBERS WILL CONNECT
YOU TO THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD. JUST ASK FOR THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE
OFFICES. 1-800-962-3524, 1-800-972-3524.
