WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (AP) -- Federal agents are focusing their investigation on a stray tire seen moments before a car bombing that injured a West Memphis doctor. They also are pouring over state medical board files hoping to find leads in the case.
Fifty-four-year-old Dr. Trent P. Pierce, who chairs the medical board, remains in critical condition -- a day after the bomb blew up in Pierce's driveway as he prepared to leave for work. Pierce lost his left eye in the blast, suffered burns and was pelted with shrapnel. Surgeons are working to save his right eye.
A colleague said Pierce "is conscious and responding." Doctors put an oxygen tube down his throat.
Board members attempted to carry on business as usual during their previously scheduled meeting today in Little Rock. However, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continually pulled out board members for interviews as Little Rock police officers guarded the building.
ATF agents poured over the panel's disciplinary records, paying close attention to its split decisions. As a habit, Pierce only cast a deciding vote when the board's 12 other members couldn't resolve cases. Agents also wanted to look at lawsuits involving the family physician.
Austin Banks of the ATF said residue and remains from the bomb had been sent to the agency's laboratory in Atlanta. Banks described the bomb as homemade, not manufactured dynamite or a military-style explosive. Banks said agents also wanted to learn more about a stray tire seen in Pierce's driveway. Scott Ferguson, a West Memphis doctor and family friend, said Pierce apparently leaned down to move the tire out of the way of his hybrid Lexus sport-utility vehicle just before the explosion.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
