Families of inmates are demanding a criminal investigation into the practice of organ harvesting, which they consider barbaric.
A civil lawsuit over missing organs is currently being heard in Montgomery.
Families who have accused the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System (UAB) of organ harvesting are urging Governor Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and the FBI to investigate their allegations. Although they have filed civil lawsuits in state court, they are convinced that criminal investigations are necessary.
Eight months ago, the ABC 33/40 News I-Team was the first to uncover the story about autopsies of deceased state inmates at UAB’s Department of Pathology. The investigation revealed that organs were missing, allegedly taken without the knowledge or permission of the deceased’s family members.
On Tuesday, a Montgomery judge presided over a status hearing in the civil lawsuits filed by six families, which have now been consolidated. According to plaintiff attorneys, more cases are likely to be added in the future. The defendants listed in the lawsuits include John Q. Hamm, the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, the University of Alabama System, the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, and the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
After the hearing, the attorneys representing the defendants refrained from commenting on the matter. However, during the court proceedings, they hinted at filing motions that claim immunity and seek dismissal of the cases.
According to Lauren Faraino, a plaintiff attorney, the government has been persistently attempting to evade responsibility and conceal its wrongdoings, leaving those affected by their actions without any answers. She further added that it was only after the courageous step taken by medical students that the truth came to light.
We are absolutely outraged. We want the DOJ, the governor, the legislatures to listen to us,” remarked Simone Moore.
“We won’t rest until the Alabama Department of Corrections is held accountable,” he declared.
According to Attorney Michael Strikland, in a situation like this, one would expect the attorney general’s office to be on your side, especially when dealing with something illegal such as the harvesting of organs. However, in this case, the government is fighting against us instead of getting involved. Strickland emphasized the importance of the state’s involvement in such matters.
Strickland raised an important question about entities who hide behind layers and claim immunity, stating, “Do we want individuals to commit illegal acts and hide behind a government agency saying they can’t be held accountable for it?” He pointed out that such behavior should not be encouraged and that immunity should not be used as a shield for illegal activities.
According to Strickland, uncovering concrete evidence of wrongdoing may prove to be a challenge, but there is hope that some of the individuals involved will come forward with the truth.
According to family members, taking legal action against those responsible for removing organs without permission is imperative. They believe that criminal charges should be pressed in such cases. Although a state bill proposing criminal penalties for medical examiners who carry out unauthorized organ removals was passed by the house during the last legislative session, it failed to clear the state senate.
Many inmate deaths remain shrouded in mystery as ADOC has not enlisted another agency to conduct autopsies.
