Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden has joined the conversation surrounding the death of Ellen Greenberg, a Philadelphia teacher whose case was ruled a suicide in 2011. However, new evidence and a potential cover-up have prompted her family to demand a reinvestigation. Greenberg was found dead in her kitchen with 20 stab wounds, including 10 from behind. Despite the suspicious circumstances, city authorities have maintained that her death was a suicide, leading to a legal battle over access to evidence. One crucial piece of evidence, the knife found in Greenberg’s chest, has never been fingerprinted, raising questions about potential foul play.
Joseph Podraza, the attorney representing Greenberg’s parents, argues that testing the knife for fingerprints is essential. The absence of fingerprints could indicate that someone wiped them off after her death, pointing to a potential killer. Conversely, finding fingerprints other than Greenberg’s would further support the theory that someone else was involved in her death. Dr. Michael Baden, an independent forensic pathologist, states that if the knife has been properly preserved, fingerprints can still be analyzed. However, the city’s handling of the case has raised concerns, as evidence such as the knife and a “pristine” white towel found in Greenberg’s hand has not been thoroughly examined.
In February, a panel of appellate judges denied the parents’ request to reclassify Greenberg’s death as a homicide or undetermined. However, the judges criticized the city, police, and the medical examiner’s office for their flawed investigation. Commonwealth Judge Ellen Ceisler expressed sympathy for the parents and acknowledged the doubts raised by experts regarding the manner of death. These doubts highlight the need for a comprehensive reinvestigation.
Despite the ruling, Greenberg’s parents plan to appeal to the state’s Supreme Court. They believe that the appellate decision sets a dangerous precedent, allowing potential murderers to evade justice. The family’s attorney, Joseph Podraza, expresses frustration with the limitations imposed by government officials, who have the power to reopen the case but have chosen not to do so.
The city of Philadelphia has stated that it is sympathetic to the Greenberg family’s grief but emphasizes that any new evidence should be presented to the investigators in Chester County, who have the authority to reopen the case. However, the city’s response has been met with skepticism, as they continue to fight against the disclosure of evidence.
As the legal battle continues, questions persist about the circumstances surrounding Ellen Greenberg’s death. The lack of thorough investigation, unexamined evidence, and potential cover-up raise doubts about the initial suicide ruling. The pursuit of justice for Greenberg remains a priority for her family, who hope that a reinvestigation will shed light on the truth and bring closure to this tragic case.
