Russian Authorities Question Max Shatto Autopsy Results
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: March 4, 2013
ODESSA -- There's international controversy all revolving around the death of 3 year-old Max Shatto.
Over the weekend more than 12,000 Russians protested in Moscow, demanding a more thorough investigation in the case.
"The manner of death is that it was accidental," said Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland.
Bland told us in a press conference Friday that autopsy results show Max died from blunt trauma to his abdomen.
Authorities add the bruises found on Max's body were a result of his mental disabilities, which caused him to hurt himself.
"The doctors that examined this child determined that that bruising was consistent with self-injury," explained Bland.
But these findings don't close the case for many Russian officials, who say the autopsy results are incomplete.
The Voice of Russia, an international radio station and broadcast outlet, quoted Konstantin Dolgov, The Foreign Ministry's Rights Representative, in saying, "Only an examination of these documents will enable meaningful conclusions to be reached about the circumstances surrounding the Russian child's death, and determine our possible future steps."
"The four opinions that I received I agree with," said Bland in regards to the autopsy. "Dr. Galloway looked at that and also concurred that the manner of death was accidental."
And while Bland expressed his confidence in the autopsy results Friday, he also tells us the case is still ongoing; which means charges could still be filed against the Shatto family.
"We're going to look at all the aspects of the investigation," said Bland. "All of the documents, and look at them very carefully, and make a determination on what should be done. Nothing's been ruled out."
Aside from protesting over the autopsy results, we're told the 12,000 ralliers were also demanding the return of Max's biological brother, Kristopher, to Russia.
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Over the weekend more than 12,000 Russians protested in Moscow, demanding a more thorough investigation in the case.
"The manner of death is that it was accidental," said Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland.
Bland told us in a press conference Friday that autopsy results show Max died from blunt trauma to his abdomen.
Authorities add the bruises found on Max's body were a result of his mental disabilities, which caused him to hurt himself.
"The doctors that examined this child determined that that bruising was consistent with self-injury," explained Bland.
But these findings don't close the case for many Russian officials, who say the autopsy results are incomplete.
The Voice of Russia, an international radio station and broadcast outlet, quoted Konstantin Dolgov, The Foreign Ministry's Rights Representative, in saying, "Only an examination of these documents will enable meaningful conclusions to be reached about the circumstances surrounding the Russian child's death, and determine our possible future steps."
"The four opinions that I received I agree with," said Bland in regards to the autopsy. "Dr. Galloway looked at that and also concurred that the manner of death was accidental."
And while Bland expressed his confidence in the autopsy results Friday, he also tells us the case is still ongoing; which means charges could still be filed against the Shatto family.
"We're going to look at all the aspects of the investigation," said Bland. "All of the documents, and look at them very carefully, and make a determination on what should be done. Nothing's been ruled out."
Aside from protesting over the autopsy results, we're told the 12,000 ralliers were also demanding the return of Max's biological brother, Kristopher, to Russia.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
