Judge Stiffs Daily on Autopsy Record Request

Sumter County Courthouse (Photo credit: Wikipedia)South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman has ruled against The (Sumter, S.C.) Item's request for the release of an autopsy report under the state's freedom of information act [S.C. Code of Laws 30-4-30], the Associated Press reports.

The Item is weighing whether to appeal Judge Newman's refusal to order the release of the autopsy report involving the shooting death of a 25-year-old man by police. Judge Newman said the autopsy report was a medical record, which is exempt under South Carolina's public records law.