Evening star., 1947-11-09
FBI Report on Issues in Dispute in Bunch Case

first mentioned the broken ribs was
statement taken by the attorney
representing the family on October
2, 1947. In this statement Mr.,
Omohundro states as follows:
@. What did your examination OF
the body reveal?
A. After we completed the post
We noticed a fractured rib on the
right side and a bruise on the right
side, inside and out, and also a
bruise on the left side at the bend
of the ribs.
@. Just which rib was broken?
A. It has been so long ago that !
don't remember whether it was the
lower first or second rib, but ! know
it was a right rib.
@. Was Mr.. Gray present when
this was discovered?
A. Yes sir.
@. Did you have any discussion
with Mr.. Gray at that time?
A. I called his. attention to 1t.
A. Did he look at it?
A. Yes he did and made the re-
mark that there was something
wrong-the man had been beaten or
something, but he didn't know just
what it was.
Also in the same ONCE and at the
same time John G. Gray, the au-
thorized embalmer, made the follow
ipo steternef,f.
@. At the present time, do you
have any definite recollection as to
the condition Of the body?
A. No, sir. We have so many
posted cases like that I wouldn't
want to confuse one with the other
@. Do you have any present recol-
lection as to whether Mr.. Bunch had
broken rib?
A. No, sir.
@. Mr.. Omohundro has stated that
he discovered broken rib and called
your attention to 1t and that you
then, in substance. made the state
ment that there was something
wrong-that the man had been
beaten or something but that you
didn't just know what 1t was. Do
you recall that incident?
A. I don't remember making that
statement.
In addition to these statements
Mr.. Omohundro was interviewed by
the agents Of the bureau on October
"a. In this latest interview Mr.
Omohundro stated he did not actu-
ally see the fracture but that he
felt the fracture both internally and
externally. He stated there was nc
question in his mind that there was
fractured rib or ribs because he
specifically recalls feeling the ragged
edges Of the break.
Rosenberg Statement.
DR.. Rosenberg, deputy coroner
submitted an explanatory supple
ment to the autopsy report in which
he comments on Mr.. Omohundro's
conclusions" and other aspects Of
the case.
"It has been said that when Mr.
Bunch was to be prepared for burial
fractured skull and fractured ribs
were discovered and that this dis
covery was made by feeling the
areas involved.
II wish to submit that this Is an
impossible accomplishment, except
in cases where most severe crushing
injuries have been sustained. In the
instant case no history OF such injury
was had.
"A statement has been made that
the last or next to last rib was frac.
tured. These two ribs are very much
shorter than the others, they are
not attached at the front ends a
the others, hence are known a
floating or false ribs, and the incl
dence Of fracture Of these ribs Il
very small"
Considering the fact that Mr.
Omohundro has changed his state
ment in certain material aspect!
about which he could not have beer
mistaken, his conclusion on thi'
point should not be accepted with
out some corroboration. Instead o.
corroboration, we find that all ths
other evidence or testimony contra
diets him.