Maryland launches review of cases handled by ex-medical chief after Chauvin trial defense

Maryland is launching a review of cases handled by its ex-medical chief who served as an expert for the defense in the Derek Chauvin trial.

“We welcome an independent review of reports on deaths in custody issued during David Fowler’s tenure, and agree it is appropriate for the Office of the Attorney General to coordinate the workgroup,” Michael Ricci, a spokesperson for Gov. Larry Hogan (R), said in a statement, The Baltimore Sun reported.

David Fowler, the former medical examiner for the state, testified at the trial that George Floyd could have died from carbon monoxide from a nearby car or from heart disease coupled with drug use.

Fowler said he would have classified Floyd’s death as “undetermined,” which raised concerns from some in the medical community.

“Dr. Fowler’s stated opinion that George Floyd’s death during active police restraint should be certified with an ‘undetermined’ manner is outside the standard practice and conventions for investigating and certification of in-custody deaths. This stated opinion raises significant concerns for his previous practice and management,” a letter signed by 400 doctors said.

Fowler stood by his work in a statement to The Baltimore Sun, saying, “People need to do what they need to do [but] there’s a large team of forensic pathologists, with layers of supervision, and those medical examiners always did tremendous work.”

More than a decade of work will be investigated, as Fowler was the medical chief from 2002 to 2019.

“We have taken steps to wall off those in our office who are representing the [Office of the Chief Medical Examiner] and its current and former employees, including Dr. Fowler, from those who might be involved in any review of [the examiner’s] reports,” Raquel Coombs, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Brian Frosh, said in a statement.

Frosh is the one who requested the investigation into Fowler, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office told The Hill.

The Hill has reached out to the governor’s office for comment.