Investigators Await Inmate’s Autopsy Results

LONGVIEW — More than two weeks has passed since the death of a Gregg County Jail inmate sparked an internal investigation that put the jail in non-compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Gregg County officials said Tuesday the majority of the investigation is complete, but they can�t close the books on the investigation until an official cause of death is ruled on Amy Lynn Cowling, 33. That final ruling is being held up by the victim�s attorney.

Attorney Robert Davis, who represents Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, said the doctor who is performing Cowling�s autopsy requested that Jarom Tefteller, the attorney representing Cowling�s family, provide past medical records before her autopsy could be complete. �These documents were requested from Tefteller more than a week ago, and investigators said they had yet to receive Cowling�s medical history or HIPAA form, which releases her medical documents to the Texas Rangers,� Davis said. Tefteller said he would have to go through legal departments and possibly a court hearing before the documents could be released to him.