TDCAA    TDCAA Community  Hop To Forum Categories  Criminal    Attackin Murder Victim W/ Autopsy
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
Attackin Murder Victim W/ Autopsy Login/Join 
Member
posted
In a Murder prosecution, can the defense attack the deceased victim with the use of the toxicology report done at the autopsy that shows levels of cocaine? Defense is claiming self defense.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Posts: 31 | Location: Laredo, Texas, Webb | Registered: May 03, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Assuming the toxicology is admissible otherwise, which it probably is for a number of reasons (since they are obviously aware of the report, the defense should be able to find the proper witnesses if they want to), then those results might show that the victim was under the influence of cocaine at the time of death. You'd have a hard time keeping that out on any relevance challenge, I would think.

[This message was edited by WHM on 01-15-08 at .]
 
Posts: 622 | Location: San Marcos | Registered: November 13, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
I recently briefed a claim that the presence of cocaine metabolites in a deceased victim's urine was admissible to show that the victim was the first aggressor. Moore v. State, No. 10-06-00319-CR, 2007 WL 4260446 at *2-3 (Tex.App. - Waco December 5, 2007) ("There is nothing in the record that connects the possession and use of marijuana and cocaine to Hill's alleged violent acts or that he was the first aggressor."). Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like a copy of our brief.
 
Posts: 527 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas, | Registered: May 23, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
On that note, you should talk to your ME about the toxicology. Depending on what the report shows, the presence of metabolytes alone may not indicate cocaine intoxication at the time of death, since the metabolytes will remain in the system far longer than the influence of the drugs will last. You may be able to counter the assertion that the victim was high before the question even gets asked if the toxicology is inconsistent with that theory.
 
Posts: 622 | Location: San Marcos | Registered: November 13, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Mr. Culr,

As a matter of fact I had the toxicology report thrown out of court based on the Moore case. However, can you please email me a copy of your brief to lawserg@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance.
 
Posts: 31 | Location: Laredo, Texas, Webb | Registered: May 03, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

TDCAA    TDCAA Community  Hop To Forum Categories  Criminal    Attackin Murder Victim W/ Autopsy

© TDCAA, 2001. All Rights Reserved.