Judge says case alleging UAB took inmate’s organs without permission can move forward

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge ruled Wednesday that a case alleging the University of Alabama Birmingham removed and kept organs from a man incarcerated at a federally-run prison in Alabama without his family’s permission can move forward.

WBRC captured the emotional moment between Matthew Harrell’s mother and her attorney following the decision that their case can continue.

Judge Patrick Ballard denied a motion from UAB’s attorneys to dismiss a case alleging that the school, who up until recently had a contract with the Alabama Department of Corrections to perform inmate autopsies, removed and kept Harrell’s organs without his family’s permission.

Attorneys representing UAB claim that removing and keeping organs in an autopsy is custom procedure in