Coroner Issues Statement Regarding Second Autopsy

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has issued a press release regarding a second autopsy of a Seneca man who died July 26 after being shot by a police office during an undercover drug operation. Coroner Addis says he is aware of the public interest in the case. Addis says, the manner of death has been classified as homicide. Addis stresses the definition of homicide is that an individual died at the hands of another person. The Coroner said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is continuing its investigation and will submit its findings to Solicitor Chrissy Adams for review. The family with legal representation sought an independent autopsy in Greenville. Addis says he has not seen the results of that autopsy.  In the press release, Coroner Addis said, “During the course of my conversations with the Hammond family and their legal representation, I referred to the death of Mr. Hammond as homicide, not murder.”