Doctor in boot camp case loses his job

Officials leave the medical examiner post open rather than keep Charles Siebert.

TALLAHASSEE - A state panel voted unanimously not to keep embattled Medical Examiner Charles Siebert on the job Saturday, even though he was the only one to apply for the post.

Siebert was the medical examiner who conducted the disputed autopsy on a teenager who died after an altercation with guards at a juvenile boot camp last year.

The state Medical Examiners Commission voted unanimously during a telephone meeting Saturday against recommending that Siebert continue in the job, said Joe Grammer, a spokesman for State Attorney Steve Meadows.

Since Siebert was the only candidate, and left his job as interim medical examiner Friday night, it leaves a six-county area in the Panhandle without a medical examiner.

Siebert held the job for four years before the state commission voted to remove him in June. After the removal vote, he was granted an interim appointment and was told he would be considered for the position if he reapplied. Siebert was the lone applicant under consideration.

Siebert, who told local officials that Friday would be his last day on the job if he didn't receive the commission's recommendation, couldn't be reached for comment immediately Saturday.

Grammer said the office was working on a plan for what to do about the vacancy Siebert's departure leaves. He said Meadows was told that Siebert wouldn't stay on as interim until a new candidate can be found.

"Our indications from Dr. Siebert are that he decided to leave as of last night," Grammer said.

Siebert conducted the autopsy of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson, who died in January 2006 after he was involved in a videotaped altercation with guards at a Bay County sheriff's boot camp.

Siebert ruled Anderson's death was caused by natural complications of sickle cell trait, a genetic blood disorder. After an outcry from Anderson's family and the public, his body was exhumed and a second autopsy by another doctor found the guards suffocated him.

Siebert has said in the past he believed he was targeted by critics because his findings in the Anderson case were politically unpopular.

Siebert, who made $180,000 a year, oversaw three employees. At least some of those employees told the Panama City News Heraldthis week that they also wouldn't remain on the job if Siebert left.

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 22:17:14]