Pathologists raise more questions about April desert shooting of Arizona sheriff’s deputy

Doctors raise doubts about Ariz. deputy’s shooting

PHOENIX — Two nationally known forensic pathologists are questioning an Arizona deputy’s version of how he was shot in the remote desert south of Phoenix in late April.

Pinal County Deputy Louie Puroll told investigators he was following a group of smugglers carrying bales of marijuana when he was ambushed by men firing AK-47 rifles.

In what Puroll described as a running gunbattle, he was grazed by a bullet in the back.

Dr. Michael Baden of New York and Dr. Werner Spitz of suburban Detroit examined photos of the wound released by the sheriff’s office. They told The Associated Press on Friday they concluded the bullet was fired from inches away, not 25 yards as Puroll said.

Sheriff Paul Babeu (BAB’-yoo) says he stands by his deputy’s account.

The pathologists’ conclusions were first reported by the Phoenix New Times.