The unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia shocked the country and has ignited a political firestorm as President Obama seeks to appoint a new justice while Senate Republicans resist an election year appointment. But some basic questions have remained particularly over why no autopsy was performed. But the Justice of the Peace who conducted the inquest has revealed that the circumstances did not apparently lend themselves to a detailed investigation. The J.P. stated that she spoke with Scalia’s personal physician, believed to be Rear Adm. Brian Monahan, who revealed that the Justice suffered from a heart condition and was recently declared too weak to undergo rotator cuff surgery. In addition, the FBI examined the scene and declared that there were no suspicious circumstances to indicate foul play. Inquest over the phone are allowed in Texas and the J.P appears to have followed proper procedure for deaths where natural causes are to blame. No word yet on when funeral services will be conducted.
See Sam Hananel & David Warren, Texas judge disclosed details about Scalia’s health, The Washington Post, February 15, 2016.
