SOMERTON MAN INQUEST FINDINGS
In this 1958 document, the Coroner presents his findings having reviewed the case from 9 years previously, the 1949 Somerton Man Inquest, and he clearly states:
"I am unable to say who the deceased was. He died on the shore at Somerton on 1st December 1948. I am unable to say how he died or what was the cause of death"
There are a number of people who comment on this subject and each has their own views. Many are highly critical of the Coroner because, in their view, he either failed to take into account the depositions of witnesses or had apparently changed his mind in the 9-year time window between the 1949 hearing and the 1958 inquisition findings.
Here's the thing, the Coroner reached his conclusions with a decided advantage over all of us. Firstly, he was there in the courtroom and he got to ask questions of witnesses and to listen as others asked questions of witnesses. Currently, we don't have the transcript of who asked what questions of which witnesses.
Logic says if we don't have that information then we really can't question the findings.
If you read carefully now through the indications given by the Coroner in 1949, he makes it quite clear that he was unable at that time to establish who the man was and how and where he died.
THE 1949 INQUEST INDICATION
In opening the first part of the inquest in 1949, he provided information about a REPORT WHICH INDICATES the listed points, those were n NOT his findings.
Philip's Doc
This document is an excellent overview of the SM inquest and autopsy.
KGB: Spets Byuro Assassination and Poisons
Several items of interest in this document. In particular, read page 7 regarding the killing of Soviet defectors.
2. Philips Report, Somerton Man Inquest Proceedings & Autopsy Notes