Page 24 of Dr. Burtons Autopsy Report
....taking the opposite posture that the boys deaths were simply due to
accident. I cannot justify this posture. I have considered the possibility
of a suicide pact, in which these boys decided to take their own lives.
Historically, there is nothing in their past to suggest such and it would
be again, virtually impossible to assume that both boys had the stamina,
fortitude and determination to lie unmoving on the train track while the
train bearing down on them, overran their bodies. At least one boy would
have given in to the fear of impending death and tried at the last minute
to escape the injuries which would be certainly fated as the train
approached. None of the forensic investigators or other forensic
pathologists which I have discussed this case with and have reviewed the
case consider this to be a possibility.
I think that the
Grand Jury should know that Dr. William Anderson, who is a well known
Forensic Pathologist, not only in our State and the Southeast, but
also in these United States, has been made available all of the
evidence that I have been sent and examined myself. Dr. Wayne Ross,
also of my office, has examined portions of this evidence. A total of
seven Forensic Investigators, who have an accumulative experience of
100 years of Law Enforcement Homicide Investigation experience, have
looked at and reviewed the evidence in this case. It is not just my
opinion, but it in unquestionably the opinion of all of these
individuals that the manner of deaths of these two boys should be
considered as having resulted from foul play.
Experts with whom I have consulted in this case have gained nothing
monetarily from their opinions nor have their been any political reasons
for having voiced their opinions one way or the other. Likewise, I have
spent innumerable hours on this case which I have not only failed to keep
track of, but have never intended to submit a statement or bill for
services to Saline County or the State of Arkansas. This is a case which
demanded a thorough investigation, a case where two families and a
community were concerned about the deaths of these boys, and it was not my
intent, in the beginning or at this time, to take advantage of the
situation for monetary or political gain. I have tried to be quite careful
not to overread or read to much into some of these observations and
findings, and that is why I have utilized other forensic experts to
consider and test part of this evidence, taking it completely out of my
hands. The laboratory and Doctors (sic) who examined the shirt does cases
all over the World and has just returned from Russia this year, where he
worked on a forensic case. People who have been involved in this case
during my investigation are experts in their fields. They are professional
Forensic Scientists. All to well, I and these other individuals realize
the problems that may be created by someone misconstruing forensic,
scientific or investigative evidence. I have made every attempt not to do
this and to be completely and totally honest with you. As of this date,
there are two other tests being....