An Extension On Autopsies

The state medical examiner has changed his mind. Autopsies will continue to be performed in Tulsa until the end of June. News On 6 anchor Scott Thompson reports the announcement was made Tuesday morning after the medical examiner met with Tulsa-area law enforcement officials and state leaders.

But the medical examiner says it's not a done deal, and there is still a chance autopsies will no longer be performed in Tulsa after June.

"For right now and in the near future, autopsies will continue to be performed in this office," said Dr. Jeffrey Gofton, medical examiner.

Oklahoma medical examiner Dr. Jeffrey Gofton spoke publicly for the first time since a controversial decision to end autopsies in Tulsa by March 31st. Dr. Gofton claimed the plan would help streamline his office. But, on Tuesday he changed his mind after hearing the concerns from law enforcement about being forced to spend more money and time driving to Oklahoma City to investigate a crime.

"It was good to see a lot of support for the medical examiner's office. I was glad to see a lot of interest in what we do. Maybe that was a fault of mine, I didn't appreciate there was that much interest in this part of the state as far as what the medical examiner's office does and how we do it," said Dr. Jeffrey Gofton.

"Today's decision to keep autopsies in Tulsa County will better serve the citizens, and I appreciate that decision," added Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris.

But, Dr. Gofton says the compromise still faces many obstacles. Part of the reason to move autopsies, he says, was because he couldn't hire a pathologist to work in Tulsa. A newly hired pathologist in Oklahoma is paid $150,000. That is $15,000 less than the national average. Legislators at Tuesday's meeting say they'll see if the state can find more money to pay pathologists. Dr. Gofton says that's a step in the right direction.

"The first hurdle is recruiting folks to Oklahoma, and the second part of that is convincing them that everything is very stable and that Tulsa is a good place to be," said Dr. Jeffrey Gofton.

The extension gives the medical examiner's office time to work out a long-term plan. Legislators also announced on Tuesday that they would be asking the state to conduct a performance audit of the medical examiner's office.