The capital of the world's sixth largest economy uses a coroner and not a medical examiner? For reference, a medical examiner is a forensic pathologist, and generally one with a forensic fellowship. A coroner is anybody with a pulse, either elected or appointed.

That said, it looks like the Sacramento coroner does in fact employ at least one forensic pathologist, so that lends a little more credence to the finding. Also, in these high profile cases there are often quite a few witnesses to the autopsy, which makes it more difficult to squash evidence.

And, yes, there are plenty of stories of people surviving a gunshot wound to the head, even remaining conscious.