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Attorney: Delay Autopsy Of Man Shot By Police

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PHOENIX (AP) - The attorney representing the family of an unarmed drug suspect fatally shot by a Phoenix police officer who mistook a pill bottle for a gun is attempting to delay the man's autopsy.

Marci Kratter said Friday that a request for an injunction to defer the autopsy for 34-year-old Rumain Brisbon by one day was denied by Maricopa County Superior Court.

Kratter is requesting the state Court of Appeals examine the issue.

Kratter says the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office refused to postpone the autopsy until Saturday, when an independent expert could be present.

Tuesday's shooting of Brisbon demonstrates the challenges law enforcement agencies face at a time of unrest over police tactics.

Phoenix police say the officer, who is white, feared the suspect was armed during their struggle. But some critics say the officer went too far.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

12/5/2014 2:48:36 PM (GMT -5:00)