Andrew Rothman
Member
http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/4203226.html
It's very sad, folks, but face facts.
Former Vikings coach wants son's death ruled accidental
Associated Press
Published November 10, 2003 SHER11
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A Green Bay Packers assistant coach and his wife have filed a petition to have their 14-year-old son's death ruled an accident.
Ray Sherman Jr. died May 18 of a single gunshot wound to his head from his father's .38-caliber handgun. He was the son of Packers wide receivers coach Ray Sherman and his wife, Yvette.
Brown County Medical Examiner Al Klimek initially ruled the death a suicide but changed the manner of death last week to undetermined.
The Shermans filed a petition in Brown County Circuit Court that asked a judge to change the death certificate. The matter has not yet been scheduled in court.
``We will do whatever it takes to clear our son's name and fight for his honor,'' the senior Sherman said Sunday at a news conference.
The Shermans' lawyer, Avram Berk, paid two forensic scientists and a psychiatrist to review the case. They said they believed the incident was an accident.
``We have given the acting medical examiner every opportunity to do the right thing, and he continually refuses to do so,'' Berk said. ``We have been left with no choice but to file this petition.''
Klimek had said he ruled Ray Sherman Jr.'s death a suicide because the boy had to take deliberate, intentional steps - retrieving and loading the gun, disengaging safeties and placing it against his temple - before pulling the trigger.
Klimek said he changed his ruling because the teen displayed no signs of wanting to hurt himself.
The Shermans have maintained their son had no reason to commit suicide, calling him a happy teen who got along with his friends. Sherman was a offensive coordinator for the Vikings before taking the job in Green Bay.
It's very sad, folks, but face facts.