Milton
William Cooper - True Patriot
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William Cooper. We will be updating this information regularly.
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AUTOPSY
REPORT
(We
will be posting scans of the original report when they are available)
MILTON
WILLIAM COOPER
ML 01-1818
AUTOPSY REPORT
APACHE COUNTY, ARIZONA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY CASE #2000-070756
NOVEMBER 7,2001
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page
2
PATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSES:
1) Penetrating (4) and perforating (1) gunshot wounds to torso,
with:
A) Marked chest wall soft tissue hemorrhage
B) Perforations of ribs
C) Perforations of heart
D) Bilateral hemothoraces
E) Perforation of left hemidiaphragm
F) Four bullets recovered
2) Penetrating gunshot wound to head, with:
A) Stippling
B) Skull fracture
C) Basilar subarachnoid hemorrhage
D) Cl -C2 transverse processes defects
E) Probable perforation of right vertebral artery
F) One bullet recovered
3) Penetrating gunshot wound to right lower extremity, with:
A) No underlying vital injuries
B) One bullet recovered
4) Perforating gunshot wounds to right upper extremity (2)
A) No underlying vital injury
B) No bullets recovered
5) Fatty liver
6) Minimal left anterior descending coronary artery atherosclerosis
7) Hypertrophy of heart (560 gin)
8) Hypertrophy of prostate
9) Left below-knee amputation
10) Hypopigmented patches at anterior thighs consistent with
old skin graft sites
OPINION:
Death of this man is due to gunshot wounds to the torso with
perforations of the heart. A gunshot wound to the head with
skull fracture is contributory. The manner of death is certified
as a homicide.
Peters,
M.D.
Forensic Pathologist
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page 3
MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION
AUTHORIZATION:
The postmortem examination is performed under the authorization
of Apache County, Arizona.
IDENTIFICATION:
The body is identified by Department of Public Safety personnel.
35 mm photographs, fingerprints, and palmprints are made of
the deceased. X-rays of the entire body are made and retained.
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page 4
POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EXAMINATION:
The postmortem examination of Milton Cooper is performed at
the Forensic Science Center, 2825 E. District Street, Tucson,
Arizona on November 7, 2001 commencing at 10:30 AM. Assisting
in the examination are Bill Ferguson, Gene Hernandez, and Abel
Valentino.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The decedent is received within a sealed black plastic body
bag. Within the bag is a folded blue body bag and an additional
white body bag containing the deceased. The head and hands are
bagged.
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION:
The body is of a light-skinned, well-developed, well-nourished,
6' 2", 247 lb man whose appearance is consistent with the
reported age of 58 years. The hair is thick, gray, and 2-4 inches
with frontal and crown balding. There is stubble at the mustache
and beard. The nose and ears are well formed. The irides are
green, and the conjunctivae are anicteric without petechiae
or hemorrhage. The oral cavity is atraumatic, and contains natural
teeth in good repair. The torso and extremities are well developed
and remarkable for a 1/2 inch hypopigmented well-healed scar
at the upper right back just right of midline, several rectangular
hypopigmented areas at the anterior thighs (Comment: consistent
with old skin graft sites), a 5 inch hypopigmented well-healed
scar at the medial aspect of the left knee, and a well-healed
left below-the-knee amputation. The genitalia are of an unremarkable
adult male.
POSTMORTEM CHANGES:
Rigor mortis is strong throughout; livor mortis is non-fixed
and posterior. The body is cool.
CLOTHING AND BELONGINGS:
On or accompanying the deceased are:
1) One pair of brown/blue boots
2) One pair of white socks
3) One black belt with brown holster at right side
4) One yellow-tan sock covering left below-knee amputation stump
5) One black comb
6) One white metal pocket knife with gray handle
7) Two sets of keys
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Milton W. Cooper
Page 5
CLOTHING AND BELONGINGS (Continued):
8) Plaid shirt (blood stained)
9) A blue jacket (blood stained)
10) Blue gloves in left pocket of above-mentioned blue jacket
11) Prosthetic leg (left)
NOTE. There are multiple defects at the anterior aspect of the
plaid shirt corresponding to the gunshot wounds described below.
Additionally, there are a few defects to the anterior aspect
of the aforementioned blue jacket corresponding to the gunshot
wounds described below.
THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES:
None.
INJURIES, EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL:
There are six penetrating and three perforating gunshot wounds
to the head, torso, and extremities. There are blunt impact
injuries to the head and extremities. These injuries are listed
for descriptive purposes only; no sequence is implied.
GUNSHOT WOUNDS
Gunshot Wound to Torso #1 (Upper Left Chest):
A gunshot entrance wound to the upper left chest is 13 inches
from the top of the head and 2-1/2 inches left of midline. It
is an oval perforation measuring 7/8 inch in greatest length
with an inferomedial 1/4 inch rim of abrasion and a negligible
rim of abrasion at the remaining margins. There is no fouling
or stippling.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the anterior
chest, the bullet passed into the posterior soft tissues of
the upper left arm. There is marked hemorrhage along the bullet
track. There are no underlying vital injuries.
The bullet lodged in the left triceps muscle, 6 inches from
the top of the shoulder.
The bullet is of medium caliber, yellow-metal jacketed, and
markedly deformed at its nose. "F" is now inscribed
on its base, and the bullet is retained as evidence.
The direction this bullet traveled is front-to-back, right-to-left,
and slightly downward (Comment: for bullet to have this path,
the left upper extremity must have been raised).
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page 6
Gunshot
Wound to Torso #2 (Left Anterior Chest):
A gunshot entrance wound is at the left chest slightly above
and to the right of the left nipple,
17 inches from the top of the head, and 4-1/2 inches left of
midline. It is an oval perforation
measuring 1/2 inch with an inferomedial 1/4 inch rim of abrasion
and a negligible rim of abrasion
at the remaining margin. There is no fouling or stippling.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the left chest,
the bullet passed upward and leftward through the soft tissues
of the left chest and shoulder. There is marked hemorrhage along
the bullet track.
A gunshot exit wound is at the outer aspect of the left upper
extremity, 1 inch from the top of the shoulder. It is an irregular
1/2 inch "U"-shaped defect with a negligible rim of
abrasion. On the small flap of tissue at its center is a 1/4
inch red abrasion. There is no fouling or stippling.
No bullet is recovered.
The direction this bullet traveled is right-to-left, front-to-back,
and upward.
Gunshot Wound to Torso #3 (Right lateral Chest):
A gunshot entrance wound is slightly above and to the right
of the right nipple, 15-3/4 inches from the top of the head
and 7-1/2 inches right of midline. It is a 3/4 inch oval perforation
with a lateral 1/4 inch rim of abrasion and a negligible rim
of abrasion at the remaining margins. There is no fouling or
stippling.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the anterior
right chest, the bullet passed through the anterior right chest
wall leaving an approximately 3 inch defect at the anterior
4th through 6th ribs (Comment: injury contributed to by Gunshot
Wound #4). The bullet then passed into the pericardial sac perforating
the right ventricle, 1/2 inch. The bullet then passed through
the septum to exit the lateral left ventricle through a 2 inch
defect. There are approximately 500 ml of blood and blood clot
in the right hemothorax; there are approximately 1200 ml of
blood and blood clot in the left hemithorax. The bullet then
exited the left hemithorax through the lateral left 7th rib.
There is marked hemorrhage along the bullet track.
The bullet lodged at the left lateral torso, 20 inches from
the top of the head. There is an overlying 1/2 inch slit-like
defect. There is no fouling or stippling.
The bullet is yellow-metal jacketed, of medium caliber, and
markedly deformed at its nose (Comment: mushroomed). "C"
is now inscribed on its base, and the bullet is retained as
evidence.
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page
7
Gunshot Wound to Torso #4 (Right Lateral Chest):
A gunshot entrance wound is lateral to the right nipple, 18-3/4
inches from the top of the head and 7 inches right of midline.
It is a '/2 inch circular "punched-out" defect without
a rim of abrasion. There is no fouling or stippling.
After penetration the skin and soft tissues of the right anterior
chest, the bullet passed through approximately a 3 inch defect
at the anterior right 4th through 6th ribs (Comment: Injury
contributed to by Gunshot Wound #3, see above). The bullet then
passed leftward through the pericardial sac to strike the heart
tangentially leaving a 6 inch long defect involving the right
ventricle and apex. The bullet then passed through the anterior
aspect of the left hemidiaphragm before leaving the left hemithorax
through the 8th intercostal space laterally. There is marked
hemorrhage along the bullet track.
The bullet lodged in the subcutaneous tissues of the left lateral
torso, 22-1/2 inches from the top of the head. Overlying this
site of lodgement is a 5/8 inch irregular skin defect without
a rim of abrasion. There is no fouling or stippling.
The bullet is yellow-metal jacketed, of medium caliber, and
markedly deformed at its nose (Comment: mushroomed). "B"
is now inscribed on its base, and the bullet is retained as
evidence.
The direction this bullet traveled is right-to-left, front-to-back,
and downward.
Gunshot Wound to Torso #5 (Right Upper Quadrant):
A gunshot entrance wound is at the anterior abdominal wall at
the right upper quadrant,
23 inches from the top of the head and 3 inches right of midline.
There is no fouling or stippling.
It is a roughly circular 5/8 inch perforation with a V2 inch
superolateral red rim of abrasion and an
approximately 1/4 inch symmetric rim of abrasion at the remaining
margins. Lying just superior
and lateral to this entrance wound are four obliquely oriented
brown dried abrasions measuring
1/6 inch. These abrasions lay in a row measuring '/2 inch long,
lay 1/16 inch apart, and lay
3/4 inch from the aforementioned rim of abrasion edge.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the anterior
abdominal wall, the bullet passed leftward and downward through
the omentum before lodging in the left lower quadrant subcutaneous
tissues. There is marked hemorrhage along the bullet track.
The bullet lodged in the left lower quadrant subcutaneous tissues,
31-1/2 inches from the top of the head and 5-1/2 inches left
of midline. Overlying this site of lodgement is a 2 inch purple
contusion.
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page
8
Gunshot Wound to Torso #5 (Right Upper Quadrant) (Continued):
The bullet is yellow-metal jacketed, of medium caliber, and
markedly deformed at its nose
(Comment: mushroomed). "D" is now inscribed on its
base, and the bullet is retained as
evidence.
The direction this bullet traveled is right-to-left, downward,
and slightly front-to-back.
Gunshot Wound to Head:
A gunshot entrance wound is within the substance of the right
ear, 4-3/4 inches from the top of the head, and 4-1/2 inches
posterior to the anterior plane of the forehead. There is a
negligible rim of abrasion. This gunshot entrance wound measures
'/2 inch within the ear and 1 inch behind the ear. A periphery
of stippling is present and measures from 1-1/2 inches (posterior)
to 5 inches (inferomedially).
After penetrating the right ear and skin behind the right ear,
the bullet passed downward and leftward through the tissues
of the upper right neck and basal skull. There is marked hemorrhage
within the soft tissues. There is an approximately 2 inch fracture
of the anterior-medial occipital skull. There is marked accompanying
basilar subarachnoid hemorrhage. The right transverse processes
of cervical vertebrae 1 and 2 are markedly disrupted and are
involved in the aforementioned hemorrhage.
The bullet is recovered along the right side of the upper cervical
spinal cord, 6-3/4 inches from the top of the head.
The bullet is yellow-metal jacketed, of medium caliber, and
markedly deformed at its nose and side. "E" is now
inscribed on its base and the bullet is retained as evidence.
The direction this bullet traveled is right-to-left, downward,
and without front-to-back deviation.
Gunshot Wound to Right Upper Extremity #1 (Distal Right Dorsal
Forearm):
A gunshot entrance wound is at the distal dorsal right forearm
22 inches from the top of the shoulder. It is a '/2 inch circular
perforation with a symmetric 1/8 inch rim of abrasion. There
is no fouling or stippling.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the right forearm,
the bullet passed through the extremity to exit the medial right
flexor forearm. There is hemorrhage along the bullet track.
The exit wound is a 1-5/8 inch irregular defect with a negligible
rim of abrasion. There is no fouling or stippling. This exit
wound lies 21-23 inches from the top of the shoulder.
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Milton W. Cooper
Page 9
Gunshot Wound to Right Upper Extremity #1 (Distal Right Dorsal
Forearm) (Continued):
No bullet is recovered.
The direction this bullet traveled is right-to-left, back-to-front,
and without vertical deviation.
Gunshot Wound (Graze) to Right Upper Extremity #2 (Dorsal Right
Hand):
A graze wound is at the dorsal right hand extending obliquely
from the base of the hand to the
right thumb region, 24-26 inches from the top of the shoulder.
It is a 2-3/8 inch long with a
1/4 inch medial rim of abrasion. There is a negligible rim of
abrasion at the remaining margin.
There is no fouling or stippling.
There is marked hemorrhage along the bullet track. There is
no underlying vital injury.
No bullet is recovered.
The direction this bullet traveled is left-to-right, downward,
and without front-to-back deviation.
Gunshot Wound to Right Lower Extremity (Right Shin):
A gunshot entrance wound is at the anterior right shin, 54 inches
from the top of the head. It is
a 3/8 inch circular perforation a 1/4 inch symmetric rim of
abrasion. There is no fouling or
stippling.
After penetrating the skin and soft tissues of the right shin,
the bullet passed upward through the soft tissues of the right
lower leg and right thigh before lodging in the soft tissues
of the right quadriceps muscle. There is marked hemorrhage along
the bullet track.
The bullet lodged within the belly of the right quadriceps muscle,
50 inches from the top of the head.
The bullet is yellow-metal jacketed, of medium caliber, and
is markedly deformed at its nose. "A" is now inscribed
on its base, and the bullet is retained as evidence.
Re:
Milton W. Cooper
Page 10
Blunt Impact to Head, Neck, and Right Upper Extremity:
There is an irregular 1/2 inch "C"-shaped red abrasion
at the right side of the forehead. There is an irregular 1/2
inch red abrasion at the medial aspect of the right eyebrow.
There is a 2 x 1 inch cluster of nonspecific red abrasions measuring
up to 1/4 inch at the base of the right side of the neck. There
is a 1/4 inch red abrasion at the lateral right flexor wrist.
These injuries, having been described, will not be repeated.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION:
Head:
The brain weighs 1460 gm and has an unremarkable distribution
of cerebral vessels and cranial nerves. The gray and white matter,
deep nuclei, and ventricles are unremarkable. The leptomeninges
are thin and delicate. There is no epidural or subdural hemorrhage.
Neck Organs:
The hyoid bone, and tracheal and laryngeal cartilages are unremarkable.
Body Cavities:
The gallbladder is not identified.
Cardiovascular System:
The aorta is without atherosclerosis. The venae cavae and pulmonary
arteries are without thrombus or embolus. The heart weighs 560
gm and has an unremarkable distribution of right dominant coronary
vessels with minimal (<25% occlusion) noncalcified atherosclerosis
of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. The
remaining coronary arteries are without luminal compromise.
The myocardium is diffusely red-brown without softening, pallor
or. fibrosis. The left ventricle is 1.4 cm thick. The endocardial
surfaces and four cardiac valves are unremarkable.
Respiratory System:
The right lung weighs 500 gm; the left lung weighs 570 gm. Both
lungs are dark red without consolidation, cavitation or hemorrhage.
There are no mass lesions. The bronchial vasculature and architecture
are unremarkable.
Liver, Gallbladder and Pancreas:
The liver weighs 2280 gm, has an orange-brown slippery cut surface
with slightly fibrous texture. The gallbladder is not identified.
The pancreas is of normal lobulation, color, and texture.
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Milton W. Cooper
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Hemic and Lymphatic Systems:
The spleen weighs 300 gm, has an intact, smooth capsule, and
a dark red parenchyma without prominent white pulp. There are
no lymph node enlargements.
Genitourinary System:
The right kidney weighs 200 gm; the left kidney weighs 210 gm.
Both kidneys have smooth subcapsular surfaces with an unremarkable
underlying architecture and vasculature. Both ureters are normal
caliber and drain into an unremarkable bladder containing approximately
500 ml of clear, yellow urine. The prostate is slightly enlarged
without masses.
Endocrine System:
The pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands are unremarkable.
Digestive System:
The esophagus and gastroesophageal junction are unremarkable.
The stomach contains approximately 1 Liter of tan fluid including
numerous partially digested semisolid unidentifiable food fragments.
The gastric mucosa, duodenum, remainder of small intestines,
appendix, and large intestines are unremarkable.
Musculo skeletal System:
See "INJURIES".