Medical Examiner Backtracks: Russell Maze’s Shaken Baby Autopsy
- Nashville, TN - The 1999 conviction of Russell Maze for the murder of his 19-month-old son, Alex, is being re-examined following a review prompted by concerns over potential...
- What: Re-examination of the 1999 murder conviction of Russell Maze in the death of his son, Alex.
- in May 1999, Russell Maze found his 19-month-old son, Alex, unresponsive.Alex was rushed to the hospital, where a pediatrician specializing in child abuse identified signs consistent with "shaken...
Shaken Baby Syndrome Case Re-examined: Russell Maze’s Conviction Under Scrutiny
Nashville, TN – The 1999 conviction of Russell Maze for the murder of his 19-month-old son, Alex, is being re-examined following a review prompted by concerns over potential wrongful convictions in Nashville. The case, initially built on expert testimony diagnosing “shaken baby syndrome,” now faces renewed scrutiny as medical understanding of the condition evolves. This re-examination highlights the complexities of forensic evidence and the potential for misinterpretation in child abuse cases.
The Original Case: A Father Accused
in May 1999, Russell Maze found his 19-month-old son, Alex, unresponsive.Alex was rushed to the hospital, where a pediatrician specializing in child abuse identified signs consistent with “shaken baby syndrome” (SBS), now more accurately referred to as abusive head trauma (AHT). Dr. Bruce Levy, then the chief medical examiner of Tennessee, conducted an autopsy and concurred with the diagnosis, concluding Alex’s death was a homicide caused by violent shaking.
Maze maintained his innocence, but was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. His conviction relied heavily on the expert testimony regarding SBS/AHT. The prosecution argued that the injuries sustained by Alex – including retinal hemorrhages, brain swelling, and subdural hematomas - were indicative of forceful shaking.