2nd Autopsy Performed on Man Allegedly Shot by Brando’s Son

An independent autopsy was conducted Friday on the man who allegedly was shot to death by Christian Brando, son of actor Marlon Brando.

The autopsy on Dag Drollet, 26, of Tahiti, was performed by forensic pathologist Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, which had conducted its own autopsy.

Baden also reviewed coroner’s documents filed in connection with murder charges against Christian Brando, 32.

“We wanted someone with impeccable credentials to review the way the coroner’s autopsy was conducted,” said Daniel Stormer, an attorney for Brando.

David Campbell of the Los Angeles coroner’s office would only say that it had been performed at county facilities as the result of “a directive from the courts.”

Stormer said the defense obtained permission from Drollet’s family for the second autopsy. Stormer said it is becoming increasingly common for lawyers to seek a second opinion on official autopsies.

Stormer is one of four defense lawyers on a team that includes civil liberties lawyer William M. Kunstler.

Baden rose to prominence when he served as the pathologist for congressional committees looking into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Baden is expected to submit a final report on his findings sometime next week. His review is likely to focus on, among other things, the angle at which the shot that killed Drollet was fired.

A police report states that the shot was fired at a 45-degree, downward angle from as close as an inch from Drollet’s face.

Christian Brando contends the shooting occurred during a struggle with Drollet for possession of the gun. Police investigators, however, argue that a struggle was unlikely.