[The autopsy report] describes Carter as having marks on his hands consistent with being handcuffed and of an entrance wound to the right temple and an exit wound to the left. The report does not mention any gunshot residue found on his hands, which would be consistent with having fired a weapon. Nor does it place blame on anyone but Carter himself.

"In consideration of the circumstances of death and after autopsy of the body, it is our opinion that Chavis Carter, a 21-year-old black male, died of a gunshot wound of the head. The agencies responsible for the investigation of his death were the Jonesboro Police Department and the Craighead County Coroner’s Office. They reported that he was detained during a traffic stop. He was cuffed and placed into a police car, where apparently he produced a weapon, and despite being handcuffed, shot himself in the head."...

...The two arresting officers, as well as the two friends of Carters whom they let go, are white. The police report says officers searched Carter, but not the two friends, aged 18 and 19. The truck they were driving was searched...

...Carter’s mother isn’t buying the police’s version of the story, however. Theresa Carter told CNN that while her son was shot in the right side of the head — which the autopsy report supports — he was actually left-handed. In addition, she says, he called his girlfriend and told her he would contact her once he was released from custody.