According to the New York Times, the autopsy report on Michael Brown shows that he was hit with six gunshots -- four to the arm and two to his head.
One of the bullets entered the top of Mr. Brown’s skull, suggesting his head was bent forward when it struck him and caused a fatal injury, according to Dr. Michael M. Baden, the former chief medical examiner for the City of New York, who flew to Missouri on Sunday at the family’s request to conduct the separate autopsy. It was likely the last of bullets to hit him, he said.
Mr. Brown, 18, was also shot four times in the right arm, he said, adding that all the bullets were fired into his front.
There's more:
Dr. Baden said that while Mr. Brown was shot at least six times, only three bullets were recovered from his body. But he has not yet seen the X-rays showing where the bullets were found, which would clarify the autopsy results. Nor has he had access to witness and police statements.
Dr. Baden provided a diagram of the entry wounds, and noted that the six shots produced numerous wounds. Some of the bullets entered and exited several times, including one that left at least five different wounds.
“This one here looks like his head was bent downward,” he said, indicating the wound at the very top of Mr. Brown’s head. “It can be because he’s giving up, or because he’s charging forward at the officer.”
If those who witnessed the shooting are to be believed, it's likely it was because he was giving up. Dr. Baden also stressed that he did not have access to the clothing, nor did he know whether Ferguson police tested the inside of the police car for gunshot residue. He did note that the wounds suggested that none of the shots were at close range but he couldn't be sure because he did not have access to gunshot residue evidence.
Earlier Sunday there were rumors that an "autopsy expert on CNN" had said the wounds to his hands were consistent with him being hit while his hands were up. However, we were unable to find any clips in their broadcast confirming that. This report leaves more questions than answers, though we at least know how many bullets hit him.
Why is it that police could not have released this information already? How does disclosure of the number of gunshots and location compromise the investigation, again?
