Even though a New York judge ruled that the Medical Examiner’s office can reveal the cause of death of Zachery Tims, it may be a while before the truth is told. That’s because it could take weeks to work through the red tape—if no appeal is filed.
With the time cushion, Madeline Tims, mother of the charismatic Orlando megachurch preacher, could file an appeal. Tims took legal action to stop the Medical Examiner’s office from releasing the results of her son’s toxicology report, which may reveal if drugs were involved in his death.
New York City Police initially ruled there was no foul play in Zachery Tims’ death. But news reports indicate that the 42-year-old pastor had a plastic bag filled with white powder in his pocket, leading many to believe his death was associated with a drug overdose. By his own testimony, he was instantly delivered from drug addiction when he was saved.
There is no word yet on whether Tims will appeal Manhattan State Supreme Court Judge Cynthia S. Kern’s ruling. Ricardo Oquendo, the attorney representing Tims, told the Orlando Sentinel he is “analyzing and assessing the merits of a possible appeal.”
If Tims decides to appeal, and request a stay of Kern’s decision, it could be another year before the world knows why Zachery Tims died in a New York City W Hotel room last August. Tims has 30 days to file an appeal.
