Turning a Coroner
Summary
Host Mark Kreisler details the 1894 consolidation of New York City, highlighting how Brooklyn’s vote hinged on water scarcity rather than politics. The episode then traces the history of the flawed coroner system, from its origins in medieval England to the reforms championed by Thomas Wakely. It culminates in the 1876 death of Clara Fisher in Boston, a controversial inquest that exposed corruption and ultimately led to the creation of the first medical examiner’s office in the world.
Topics discussed
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Brooklyn's Corruption and the 1898 Consolidation Vote
The Combs and Nason Coroner Fraud Trials
Host Intro and Episode Context
Origins of the Coroner Role in Medieval England
Flaws in the Early American Coroner System
Thomas Wakely and Reforms in 19th Century England
Sponsors: Anthropic and First Citizens Bank
Maryland's Early Legal Reforms and US Inconsistencies
Abolition of Coroner Offices in NY and Chicago
The Death of Clara Fisher and Coroner Newton's Inquest
Sponsors: Anthropic and First Citizens Bank
Autopsy Findings and Disputes Over the Cause of Death
Newton's Motive and Past Legal Disputes with Mary Ware
Exposing Newton's Fraudulent Medical Credentials
Theodore Tyndale and the Creation of the Medical Examiner
Newton's Later Life and Obscurity
J.B. Treadwell's 1904 Retraction and Apology
Outro, Patreon Thanks, and End Family Fire Ad
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