From the San Jose Mercury News, 5/12/97
UNDER OATH From the Alameda County DA's Office:
In a murder trial, the defense attorney was cross examining a pathologist. Here's what happened:
Atty: Before you signed the death certificate, had you taken the pulse?
Coroner: No.
Atty: Did you listen to the heart?
Cor: No
Atty: Did you check for breathing?
Cor: No
Atty: So, when you signed the death certificate you weren't sure the man was dead, were you?
Cor.: Well, let me put it this way. The man's brain was sitting in a jar on my desk. But I guess it's possible he could be out there practicing law somewhere.