Shawn Parcells: Ferguson Medical Examiner Says Forensic Assistant For Brown Family Is A Known Sham

In a shocking revelation in the Ferguson shooting of Michael Brown, the St. Louis medical examiner says the assistant forensic pathologist hired by the Brown family is a fake — and has a checkered past.

Dr. Mary Case, who was charged with the first autopsy of Michael Brown’s body, expressed her concern over the inclusion of Shawn Parcells in the police-shooting.

I can tell you absolutely that I find what Parcells does to be abysmal,” Dr. Case said in an interview on the events that led to the 18-year-old’s death.

Parcells is well-known in the pathology community as an assistant forensic pathologist based in Kansas, wrote the Daily Caller via Yahoo News. He is said to be the operator of the National Forensic Autopsy & Tissue Recovery Services in Overland Park. However, Case and a number of other peers slammed Parcells, and accused him of having a tarnished reputation for misrepresenting himself as a certified professional with a body of knowledge that qualifies him to perform death investigations.

He partnered with Dr. Michael Baden, a seasoned forensic specialist, in conducting the second autopsy of Michael Brown. The news was an important milestone for the Brown family who is seeking answers into why their unarmed son was gunned down in broad daylight.

The results of their investigation suggested that Mike Brown was shot by Darren Wilson six times, five of which were thought to be non-fatal wounds. However, they have not reached the point of determining if the Ferguson shooting was justified; the complete body of evidence was not available to them at the time.

Case made the shocking statements about Shawn Parcells at a time when tensions are running high over the local community’s accusations of racial animus, a lack of transparency and uniformed cover-up.

He is doing forensic autopsies which may send someone to prison, and he is not a physician much less a forensic pathologist. No one stops him,” she told TheDC.

Dr. Case, who hailed Dr. Baden, 80, as a very capable pathologist, said he was not aware about the disturbing alleged history of Parcells. It’s her belief he would have not agreed to hiring him as his assistant.

Parcells said he received an email from the family’s lawyers a week ago, and it was at that time he asked if Dr. Baden would need his assistance. However, before he agreed to travel to Ferguson, Parcells said he informed Baden about the numerous complaints that were circulating, to which the renowned investigator suggested he need not worry about his “detractors.”

I am a forensic pathologist assistant and medical investigator,” Parcells told a reporter at Fox 4 of his credentials.

Information surfaced that Dr. Erik Mitchell, a forensic pathologist from Kansas, complained to a local radio station that Shawn Parcells was operating without a forensics license.

He has none of the qualifications that are required. He has experience as a morgue technician, somebody who would move bodies around, clean up after an autopsy,” Dr. Mitchell said.

Next, Dr. Thomas Young, an ex medical examiner from Jackson County, Missouri, told the same station that Parcells was telling the public he was his understudy. However, Young dismissed his claims as lies.

He has been representing himself in a way that is not appropriate by giving forensic pathology opinions when he is not qualified to do so,” Dr. Young said.

Parcells downplayed the allegations from the medical professionals, and said the lies are motivated by nothing more than jealousy.

Not surprisingly, the claims shed light on a case already clouded with doubt over credibility and allegations of an inept criminal justice system. That said, this case could tip the scales in favor of the prosecution or defense, depending on how much credence a judge and potential jurors place on the claims, should criminal and/or civil rights charges be levied against Wilson.

How much will the St. Louis Medical Examiner’s claims against Shawn Parcells weigh in the case against Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown?

[Image via IBTimes]