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Int’l ballistics expert to view bullet fragment photos
…as AFC requests more help in Linden killing probe
Pull quote: “This is an execution by the state and we want to leave no stone unturned…”-Attorney Nigel Hughes
By Michael Jordan
Vowing to “leave no stone unturned”, the Alliance for Change (AFC) is seeking further international assistance in gathering evidence against the perpetrators of the Linden shooting tragedy.
AFC Executive Member Nigel Hughes told Kaieteur News yesterday that the party intends to ask a ballistics expert from overseas to view photographs of the bullet fragments that were extracted from the slain trio.
Attorney at Law and AFC Executive Member, Nigel Hughes
“We took pictures of the fragments that were recovered, and we will be giving them to an international ballistics expert who can offer an opinion on the calibre,” the AFC member and attorney-at-law said.
“The pictures will be with Dr. (Hubert) Daisley’s report, and as soon as we get that report, we will send the photos.”
“This is an execution by the state and we want to leave no stone unturned.”
The AFC had already hired Trinidad-based Pathologist, Professor Hubert Daisley, to view the autopsies on the victims.
After Thursday’s post mortem examinations, Professor Daisley told reporters that bronze fragments were removed from the bodies of two of the slain men, who were shot in the region of the heart. He said that the fragments suggested that one weapon was used to kill the two victims. The third victim was shot in the back.
The pathologist surmised that bronze-tipped rounds were used and that the weapon was a handgun.
Some of the protesters have alleged that one of the police ranks at the scene opened fire with a handgun.
A police statement said Ron Somerset died from haemorrhage and shock caused by multiple gunshot injuries. Ivan Lewis died from perforation of the lungs and stomach due to gunshot injuries, while Shemroy Bouyea died of perforation of the heart due to gunshot wounds.
The post mortem findings have added controversy to the issue. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Seelall Persaud told Kaieteur News on Thursday that only four shotgun cartridges were missing from the ammunition that police ranks had at the scene.
According to Persaud, “the ammunition was checked immediately and four shotgun cartridges were unaccounted for.” He also said that the ranks who had shotguns have submitted reports to investigators.
However, the Crime Chief said that all the other ammunition that the ranks had was intact.
Because all the other ammunition was accounted for, it was not necessary to swab the hands of the ranks for evidence of gunpowder residue, Persaud said.
Kaieteur News has confirmed that the ranks at the protest were never instructed to submit their weapons for ballistic testing to ascertain who fired the fatal rounds. A forensic expert who spoke to this publication said that this should have been mandatory in an investigation of this nature.
The source also expressed concern that the Crime Scene ranks were never instructed to scour the area for ballistic evidence or to swab the hands of all the ranks who were at the scene of the protest.
They were reportedly only instructed to collect evidence from fires that were set following the shooting and to take photographs.
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