Burroughs v. Thomas

Bacon, J.:

Dr. George E. Thomas, Shawnee County Coroner, appeals from the district court’s decision that his records were public records subject to public disclosure under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.

Leo Burroughs is the surviving spouse of Launcelot Burroughs, who died February 2,1995. As coroner, Dr. Thomas conducted an investigation and performed an autopsy to determine the cause of Launcelot’s death. Dr. Thomas then filed a report of his findings with the clerk of the district court.

After obtaining a copy of Dr. Thomas’ report, Leo sought disclosure of all the…