Maryland Audit Uncovers Police Custody Homicide Misclassifications | JQJO

A Maryland audit revealed at least 36 deaths in police custody misclassified as non-homicides, due to alleged racial and pro-police bias by the former medical examiner, Dr. David Fowler. The review, spurred by concerns surrounding Fowler's testimony in the George Floyd case, involved 87 cases. Three-person panels unanimously reclassified 36 deaths as homicides, and two panels each reclassified five more. Governor Wes Moore ordered a review of these cases to determine if investigations should be reopened and created a task force to study deaths in law enforcement custody. The audit also recommended better training for officers and standardized procedures for investigating restraint-related deaths. The findings, while not suggesting intentional misconduct, highlight systemic issues within the justice system.