Ju) 15 2016 OB45AM Connell Wheeler Tiel Law (706) 647-8170 pase 2 Atlanta Surgery & Trauma, P.C. ‘Vernon J. Henderson, M.D., F.A.CS. Prosident 285 Boalevard, NF. Site 535 Adanta, GA 20212 Telophoaes 404-608-1444 Fax: 404-688-1665 Friday, June 10, 2016 Bree Lowry, Attorney PO Box 1206 Thomaston, GA 30286 RE: Jessica Boynton Dor: 03/26/1998 Dear Wis. Lowry: As the attending physician caring for Jessica Boynton during her hospitalization at Atlanta Medical Center from 4/15/2026 unt 5/16/2026, | would like to offer the following narrative of my observations uring the course ef her hospitalization, Jessica was admitted to the hospital at 2:48 AM on 4/15/2016 ‘4s the trauma physician on call for that evening, i met Jessica in the emergency room upon her arrval by EMS services. The report we received from the paramedics who delivered Jessica to the trauma bay was that she was e victim of a sef-Inficted gunzhot wound to the head. it was reported that she was alone Ina closet when, out of the blue, her husband heard twa shots fired! and found her unconscious and bleeding. Asinoted this description is typical ofthe information we might receive from the paramedics 2st reflects the information they were given upon arrival atthe scene of the incident. although we have no way to assess the veracity of this statement there were several observations about Jessica that ‘old nor fit with that description. First ofall, the wound that she suffered was towards the vertex of her skull on the right side of her head; this wound would imply that she shot herseif with a gun polnted Gownward near the top of her skull, This would be a very unusval direction in which to point the gun at Gne's self with the intention of committing suicide. The second most striking observation made by me wile assessing Jessica was that thet it’s reported that the she was right-handed and shot herself with her right hand. Remarkably, neither of her hands had any evidence of any gunpowder stippling from Sunpowder blowback. Literally, both of her hands wero pristine and unmarked. | pointad out tls Observation to the emergency physician, Dr, James Clark, who was also in attendance upon Jessica Jessica's arrva in the emergency room. He too was surprised that there was no evidence of gunpowder Stlapling on her right hand or left hand that would’ve been consistent with her firing a firearm herself. To my knowledge, no further forensic investigation of her hands was conducted during the entire month that she spent in our hospital, Upon her arrival at AMC Jessica was intubated and unresponsive. She remained in @ coma for as long as three weeks during her hospitalization then she gradually regained consciousness, Her couree in the ICU. reflected 9 genuine concern for her potential for developing intracranial hypertension and secondary brain injury. As a result of this concern she had # monitor placed in her skull to monitor the pressure‘within her brain in an attempt to mitigate any abnormal rise in she Intracranial pressure that may lead to @ compromise of brain bicod flow and a poor neurologic outcome. Fortunately, Jessica never developed ‘any uncontrolled intracranial hypertension and as a result she has made a near-pertect recovery from her brain injury. In feet, upon seeing her recently, | was impressed that she has no outward signs that she suffered a recent brain injury other than the fact that her hair's a short from being shaved to allow. the placement of the brain monitoring device. She walks normally speaks normally has a sense of humor ard has a gentle end calm personality. She speaks lovingly of her children and the need to and the desire to see them, As | am aware, she saw her chidren only once during the one month she was hospitalized. The children were apparently brought to the hospital ta vist her. She enjoyed this visit very much, and Is looking forward to raising her children in the future. ter prospects for making an unfettered recovery are excellent, and | am certain she will resume her lite as a loving and rassonsible parent My purpose in cictating this narrative is to note my concerns regarding the initial designation of this as a self-inflicted shocting. To my knowledge whatever Investigation thera was done into this event im no way reflected our observations in the emergency room particularly of the very strange angle of injury anc the pristine condition of her hands upon arrival in the emergency toom. At the very least these observations should have prampted a more focused and thorough forensic evaluation of the potential evidence that a self-inflicted crime may have been committed. It would seem only ‘alr that in a situation where this intermation 's potentilly going to be held against Jessica that a more thorough understanding of exactly what happened would help in future decision-making. Ihave spoken with Jessica and her grandmother on mukiple occasions and | have never been impressed that Jessica had any suicidal iéeetions during her hospitalization or afterwards. She appears to be a very positive person who is embracing the opportunities at » new lease on life afforded her by her recent recovery. Tomy knowledge she is seeking opportunities to resume her education and is incleed looking forward to. returning to school. | have been a practicing trauma surgeon for 30 for nearly 30 years. it has been my observation that selt- inflicted gunshot wounds are very unusual among women. | do not offer this information as proo! that |tdid not occur in this situation; however, taken in the context of our physical observations | think that it at least sheds some dauiot whether this was a self-inflicted wound or not. Ido not think it would ke fair to deprive Jessica of the opportunity to visit with her children based upon an assumption that this was 3 self-inflicted attempt on her life. This young woman has suffered a great deal in the past month howaver her prognos's for en outstanding recovery remains. Essential to her full recovery Is the need to ‘be with an enjoy her children. Singerely yours, Maen, Vernon J Henderson, MID. FACS