Murderer challenges ex-medical examiner

A man convicted of murder in 1994 wants to challenge testimony of then-state medical examiner Dr. Charles Harlan to reduce his life sentence.

A Hamilton County Criminal Court jury sentenced Stephan Beasley to life without parole on a first-degree premeditated murder charge in 1994.

Beasley has filed numerous post-conviction petitions seeking to reduce the sentence. At least one plea made it to the Tennessee Supreme Court, but was denied.

Beasley confessed to police that he killed his estranged girlfriend Ugandra Shibley, 20, during a struggle for a gun. He has claimed Harlan made a gash to Shibley's throat during the autopsy, leading the jury to believe the killing was planned.

Beasley's brother, Antonio Beasley, said he gets letters from Stephan in West Tennessee State Penitentiary every week.

Stephan Beasley is in custody and could not be reached for comment.

Antonio Beasley said his brother had confessed that he went to Shibley's home after some rings were stolen from his car and, as he entered the home, Shibley reached into her purse for a gun. Stephan Beasley struggled with her over the weapon and shot her three times.

Antonio Beasley believes that his brother is, at worst, guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a 15- to 25-year sentence.

"That's the only thing that Stephan is looking for," Antonio said.

In 2005, the Tennessee State Board of Medical Examiners revoked Harlan's medical license when it found he had committed numerous acts of malpractice, fraud, deceit and unprofessional conduct, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives. The board's report listed 23 incidents of misconduct.

Stephan Beasley's court-appointed attorney, Dan Ripper, could not be reached for comment Friday but previously has said that the case is a "long shot."

Ripper has filed a petition to Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole to consider new evidence - the veracity of Harlan's testimony. The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 8.

Ripper said in a 2010 interview that Harlan's testimony in numerous cases might be challenged by defendants across the state.

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts did not have numbers of cases reviewed or appealed based on challenges to Harlan's work.

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