Second pathologist says Cory Lovelace died of natural causes

9 years, 7 months ago by Scott Hardy

Dr. William Oliver disputes prosecution claims of suffocation

A second forensic pathologist says that Cory Lovelace died of an acute fatty liver, and not by suffocation.

That's the result of over two hours of testimony in the Curt Lovelace murder re-trial from Dr. William Oliver, the assistant Medical Examiner for Knox County, Tennessee. KHQA-TV's Jenny Dreasler reports that Oliver, who cited his work on the Rodney King and O.J. Simpson cases, said that Cory Lovelace died of an acute fatty liver caused by chronic alcoholism, and alcohol withdrawal. He also cited other possible causes of death, including sepsis, the flu, heart issues and an electrolyte imbalance. Oliver disputed the findings of prosecution pathologists Drs. Werner Spitz and Jane Turner, who both testified that Cory died of suffocation. Oliver said that in his opinion, there was no sign of traumatic death, and that Cory died at approximately 8 AM, some 8 hours later than what the prosecution claims.

The jury could receive instructions late this afternoon, and closing arguments could take place Friday morning.