DOC Commissioner Richard Allen, quoted in the DOC e-mail, stated: “A forensic pathologist, hired by attorneys representing the Barksdale family, observed his medical care while in the hospital, and the pathologist was also present during the autopsy. I am pleased to see that these findings are consistent with our own internal investigation. Because of the unique circumstances surrounding this case, I asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent investigation, and we have not yet received that report.”

Watson called it “shocking” that the autopsy report was released to the media while neither Farron’s attorneys nor his family members were notified. The DOC was not required to send it to them. The e-mail contained only a summary by the DOC of the pathologist’s findings. The News Courier sent the required written request and $10 fee to the Department of Forensic Sciences for a copy of the full autopsy and will report any additional information upon receipt.

A lawsuit filed in September on behalf of Mary Barksdale by Watson and Atlanta’s Southern Center for Human Rights against the DOC seeking access to records in Farron’s case will continue, Watson said. The DOC filed a motion to in October to dismiss that case, saying prison records do not fall under the Open Records Act.

Watson said he would take the fight for those records to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

Shot officers

Officer Larry Mims and Sgt. Larry Russell were shot to death outside Mary Barksdale’s Athens home with a gun Farron purchased in Huntsville, according to sheriff’s reports. The officers were responding to a 911 call made by Farron. He had been diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic and was involuntarily committed to mental institutions several times before the shooting.

Farron pleaded guilty in late July to avoid the death penalty and was convicted in a “mini trial” here Aug. 6.

He was found unresponsive in his single-inmate cell at Kilby on Aug. 11, three days after Limestone Sheriff’s deputies transported him to Kilby. The inmate was inspected by a medical examiner and videotaped upon arrival there. He showed no bruising at that time, according to DOC spokesman Brian Corbett.