GALLERY

“Erdman dealt with autopsies across an incredible 48 counties. Then in

1992, the same year that Johnny Garrett was executed,  accusations were

made against Erdmann and what was seen as his questionable

practices. An investigation that would span 2 years was begun, and 300

of Erdmann’s autopsies would be analysed in the process. In 1994 Ralph

Erdmann pleaded no contest to botching and faking autopsies. He

surrendered his medical license and was given 10 years probation, and

200 hours of community service and he had to repay close to $17,000 in

autopsy fees. The fees were for autopsies that Erdmann had claimed to

have conducted but when bodies were re-examined there was no sign of

an autopsy ever having taken place. The fallout was huge. Cases

spanning over a decade were called into question and there were

accusations that Erdmann had performed “made-to-order” autopsies

for prosecutors. Bodies were exhumed and 12 death row inmates

appealed their convictions. By March of 1995 one of Erdman’s autopsies,

which resulted in a death row conviction was overturned.”