BY BETH VELLIQUETTE

bvelliquette@heraldsun.com; 918-1042

CHAPEL HILL -- Members of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity were "dumbfounded" by an autopsy report that said their president, Courtland Smith, was depressed and had discussed suicide with some friends.

An investigative autopsy report written by Dr. Gordon Arnold, a medical examiner in Guilford and Randolph counties stated: "Young student had commented to friends on [date of death] + before about possible suicidal ideas."

Arnold also check-marked two boxes on the report that said Smith had a history of alcoholism and depression.

The statement from DKE members said they were confused and surprised by Arnold's statements and wondered who his source was for the information.

"We are dumbfounded by the wording of the autopsy report regarding Courtland Smith's death," the statement said.

"We are not sure where he heard that Courtland had discussed suicide with his friends," the statement said. "No one we have talked with has mentioned any such conversations. We are also unaware of any history of depression; to the contrary, Courtland was cheerful and optimistic."

"This entire situation has created many questions and much sadness for so many, and the comments released [Thursday] did very little to change this situation for Courtland's friends and family," the statement said.

Smith 21, died Aug. 23 after an Archdale police officer shot and killed him during a traffic stop on I-85. Smith had called 911 as he drove his SUV south on I-85 during the early morning hours and told the dispatcher he was trying to kill himself, that he had been drinking and had a gun.

He asked the dispatcher to send law enforcement officers, although it wasn't clear on the 911 tapes why he wanted the law enforcement officers. It also wasn't clear whether Smith meant he was suicidal when he said he was trying to kill himself or whether he meant he was putting his life at risk by drinking and speeding.

The report written by Arnold said that when the police stopped him, Smith got out of the car and "made a suggestive move toward his pocket which the police interpreted as a move to get a gun. They then fired on him + he was hit in abd/chest + dropped down."

The autopsy conducted by Arnold was a cursory one conducted on the day Smith died. A more thorough autopsy was performed the next day on Aug. 14 at the N.C. Medical Examiners Office in Chapel Hill.

The DKE statement said they were told that comments made by local medical examiners often turn out to be inaccurate but still become part of the public record.

"It is our hope that the Smiths will eventually get satisfactory answers and accurate facts from the county governments and the SBI," the statement said.

The N.C. SBI is conducting an investigation into the shooting death of Smith but has not yet released its results.