Woolmer murder detective denies reports of new post mortem by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 29th March 2007

 

The detective heading the inquiry into murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer on Wednesday denied reports saying a second post mortem was to be carried out.

 

Jamaica deputy police commissioner Mark Shields was widely quoted by British newspapers as saying a follow-up examination of Woolmer's body was planned in order to pre-empt arguments from defence lawyers in the event of an arrest.

 

However Shields denied the reports in a press conference at the Pegasus Hotel, where Woolmer's strangled body was found on March 18 following his team's shock World Cup exit to Ireland.

 

"I can assure you there is no post mortem, there is no planned second post mortem," Shields said, adding that any post mortem would only be announced in consultation with the Kingston coroner's office.

 

"If there was any question of a second post mortem it would be something that I would discuss with him and announce," Shields said.

 

Press reports earlier said the new examination would be held to ward off speculation that the initial post mortem had been bungled.

 

Although there is no evidence that Kingston pathologist Ere Seshaiah bungled his first examination, which found that Woolmer was killed by "manual strangulation", a whispering campaign questioning the verdict has gathered pace, according to press reports.

 

Allegations have been levelled by former Test players and International Cricket Council officials that Woolmer died of natural causes, speculating that a broken bone in his neck may have been caused by falling against a sink.

 

When asked about the speculation on Monday, Shields said he was confident that Woolmer was murdered, citing evidence from the crime scene not yet disclosed to the public which supported the case.

 

"There is very clear evidence of murder," Shields told reporters.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)