The Miami-Dade medical examiner has released the toxicology report for the Delray Beach Police officer who died in a crash in Key West on April 8.
The report details that Officer Christine Braswell died of multiple blunt force trauma and had no alcohol or other drugs in her blood.
Braswell was driving a scooter with fellow Delray Officer Bernenda Marc when she collided with a car.
The driver of the car, Lacy Morris, had a blood alcohol level of 0.17, which is twice the legal limit.
Morris is charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI serious bodily injury, DUI property damage and possession of marijuana.
Morris’ lawyer, Evan Hoffman said he was surprised by Braswell’s toxicology report, saying he has hired a team of investigators to look into the details of what happened that night.
“We believe that the officer and Miss Marc were consuming alcohol,” Hoffman said. “That’s our belief.”
Hoffman presented no evidence to support his belief but he said his team is currently working on it.
“We’re going to re-trace their steps to see everywhere where they went,” Hoffman said. “To see where they went, if anything was paid with credit cards, cash, surveillance footage. Everything.”
Hoffman also said he also wants to test the evidence, including the blood samples.
“Just because it says it on a piece of paper doesn’t mean all the procedures were followed.,” Hoffman said.
His office is making sure there was a proper warrant to draw Morris’ blood at the scene, it was tested correctly and get DNA tests on all blood samples to guarantee they weren’t swapped.
Hoffman said the next step is to reduce Morris’ bond which is set at $170,000. Her arraignment is scheduled for June 1. Morris pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Currently, Morris was held in solitary confinement in the psychiatric ward in a Monroe County Jail, according to Hoffman. He said officials at the jail told him it was because Morris was a danger to herself. Hoffman said that is not the case and he put in a motion to have his client be put back with the general population in jail.
