Witter

BRITISH forensic scientist, Professor Derrick Pounder, yesterday witnessed the autopsies of five men who were killed January 13 in the West Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens.

Public Defender Earl Witter told The Gleaner yesterday that his office sought Professor Pounder's expertise, due to the sensitive nature of the case.

"We wish to have an independent opinion on the cause of these deaths. We are not relying on experts contracted to the Government. That would be a betrayal of our mandate," Mr. Witter said.

A statement from Mr. Witter's office said the autopsies were conducted at the Kingston Public Hospital at 10:15 a.m.

After visiting the area on January 16, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is also Member of Parliament for West Kingston, ordered that an early coroner's inquest be conducted into the Tivoli shooting.

Mr. Witter, who also went to the scene, said an independent investigation will be carried out.

Previous involvement

This is the third high-profile local case in which Professor Pounder has been involved. In October 2003, he testified that Sandra Sewell and Gion Halcott - who were fatally shot in August Town by Jamaica Defence Force soldiers on September 19 that year - were murdered.

Two years later, he gave evidence at the Kraal trial in which six policemen were charged with murdering four persons at a home in that Clarendon district in May 2003.

Pounder said the four were killed in a 'controlled way', contradicting the police account which said they lost their lives in a gunfight.

Mr. Witter said his office paid for Professor Pounder's expenses through funds from the Public Defender's Commission.