Ramsey County’s 0K review of ex-medical examiner finds no convictions to overturn

Ramsey County’s $400K review of ex-medical examiner finds no convictions to overturn

June 23, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi announced Tuesday that a taxpayer-funded review of cases involving former Medical Examiner Dr. Michael McGee found no basis to overturn convictions within the county. The nearly $400,000 independent review examined hundreds of cases, concluding that while McGee’s court language often lacked neutrality, existing evidence supports the original verdicts.

Why didn’t the Ramsey County review overturn convictions?

Prosecutors determined that other evidence in the reviewed cases outweighed concerns regarding Dr. McGee’s decisions. John Choi stated he cannot overturn convictions because he believes there is “overwhelming evidence” in those cases.

Why didn't the Ramsey County review overturn convictions?

The review process began in 2021 when officials examined roughly 200 cases tied to McGee in Ramsey County. A panel of experts eventually narrowed the most detailed scrutiny to seven serious cases involving sexual assault or death.

Choi acknowledged that McGee’s court descriptions were sometimes problematic. He noted the panel found McGee often appeared to support prosecutors rather than acting as a neutral party, describing him as a “product of his time.”

Did You Know? The independent review of Dr. Michael McGee’s work cost taxpayers nearly $400,000 and covered hundreds of cases prior to his retirement six years ago.

How does this compare to other cases involving Dr. Michael McGee?

The findings in Ramsey County contrast with results in other jurisdictions. McGee’s testimony contributed to overturned convictions outside of Ramsey County, including the case of Michael Hansen approximately 15 years ago.

Ramsey County Medical Examiner Case Review

In 2023, the conviction of Thomas Rhodes was vacated. Rhodes told investigators that McGee’s testimony was the only evidence used against him in that case.

While these external cases fell apart, Choi insisted he took corrective action in Ramsey County years ago. These steps included requiring more training and obtaining additional expert analysis.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests the tension here lies in the distinction between clinical accuracy and courtroom neutrality. While the panel found McGee’s demeanor leaned toward the prosecution, the legal threshold for overturning a conviction requires the absence of other supporting evidence, which was not the case in the Ramsey County review.

What may happen next with these cases?

Most convictions in Ramsey County will stand, though one case remains unresolved. The resolution of this final case could depend on whether the evidence is deemed sufficient without relying on McGee’s testimony.

Because McGee contracted on hundreds of other cases across Wisconsin and greater Minnesota during his 30-year career, other jurisdictions could potentially launch their own reviews. Any such actions would likely depend on whether those regions find similar patterns of unreliable testimony.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cases did the expert panel scrutinize in detail?
The panel narrowed its most detailed scrutiny to seven of the most serious cases, including those involving death or sexual assault.

What was the primary criticism of Dr. McGee’s testimony?
County Attorney John Choi stated that McGee often came across as trying to support prosecutors rather than acting as a neutral party.

Did Dr. Michael McGee respond to the review findings?
A message left with McGee on Tuesday has not been returned.

How should legal systems balance the use of expert testimony with the need for neutral medical analysis?

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