The Rock County Board voted Thursday night to table a decision to switch to a medical examiner system. Those in favor of the coroner system say the county would strip voters of their rights. Those who want a medical examiner say the coroner’s office has a history of problems such as drug abuse and the county board doesn’t have enough oversight.
Citzens testimony (:15)
Coroner Jenifer Keach says there are ulterior motives in proposing to change to a medical examiner system.
Jenifer Keach (:16)
Keach says it stems back to 2005, when Karen Gilbertson was removed from office. She claims Republicans on the county board were upset that a Democrat was appointed by the governor as coroner. However in a letter Keach posted online as President of the Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association. She cites a report from the National Academy of Sciences that recommends eliminating the coroner system.
Contributed by Beth Wheelock-WCLO