Q: The media reported that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death was pronounced by a judge over the phone. I had no idea a judge could pronounce someone dead. How is that possible?
—David Davis, Newnan
A: Scalia died while at a hunting resort in Texas, which allows judges to pronounce deaths, even over the phone.
“It’s up to a judge or justice of the peace to determine if a person died of unlawful means or unnatural causes,” Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Suzan Thompson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “We can get all the advice we want. I can pick up a phone and call law officers, doctors or a medical examiner. It’s part of the hours of training.”
A judge can also decide if an autopsy should be performed. They can cost $2,000 or more, the Star-Telegram reported.
Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced Scalia dead after speaking with investigators and his personal doctor, the Associated Press reported.
Q: Donald Trump has had a clothing line that is retailed by Macy’s. Which country makes the clothes?
—Don White, Atlanta
A: Macy's discontinued carrying Trump's line of clothing in July 2015 after he made derogatory remarks about Mexican immigrants.
Macy’s had carried the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection since 2004.
Trump agreed his clothes are made in China and Mexico on “Fox News Sunday” last October. ABC News reported in 2011 that Trump Collection ties and shirts were produced in China and the suits were made in Mexico and Vietnam.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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