El Paso District Attorney’s Office ‘Not Affected’ By Shrode Decision

El Paso District Attorney Jaime Esparza says a recent finding by the Texas Medical Board will not affect the way his office handles cases involving fired El Paso medical examiner Dr. Paul Shrode.

The state board dismissed an investigation into allegations that Shrode lied on his rsum and was not qualified to perform his duties as a medical examiner.

The case was dismissed June 3.

Shrode, who was hired by El Paso county commissioners in 2005, was fired five years later amidst sharp criticism for lying about his credentials. ABC-7 first reported the discrepancies in 2007.

Esparza said the autopsies performed by Shrode during his time in El Paso have been verified by other doctors including interim medical examiner Dr. Juan Contn.

Esparza told ABC-7 Wednesday his office only has “one or two” cases left to prosecute from the time period in which Shrode was the medical examiner.

“I don’t think the medical board’s decision really affects the way we proceed,” he said.

In the fall of 2010, questions about the “Shrode factor” may have weighed on jurors deciding a capital murder case in El Paso.

Defense attorney Leonard Morales questioned Shrode’s competence as a medical examiner during the trial of Monea Tyson, a mother accused of abusing her 22-month-old son Jayceon to death.

Tyson was acquitted.

In an e-mail to ABC-7, Morales explained the board’s decision will not change the way he handles cases involving Dr. Shrode.

Wednesday, Esparza said he fully anticipates the credibility questions to continue in the courtroom.

“It’s a fair area of questioning,” he said. “But in all fairness, the real issues are whether or not the quality of his work is reliable, let a jury decide that.”

El Paso County has yet to hire a permanent medical examiner.

In June of last year, county commissioners voted to set aside $50,000 to hire a private firm to seek out a replacement.

The county’s human resources department did not get back to ABC-7 for an update on the search.

Esparza said it appears salary is an issue when it comes to attracting qualified candidates to El Paso.

The county is currently offering $236,221 per year for the position.