Woolmer will have second autopsy

By DAVID JONES

Last updated at 22:00 27 March 2007


A second post-mortem examination is to be carried out on cricket coach Bob Woolmer to guard against any future claims that the first test was botched, it has been revealed.

The announcement came amid speculation that Jamaican government pathologist Ere Sheshaiah may have made mistakes that have beset the murder investigation.

Police fear that anyone ultimately charged with the crime will attempt to smear his findings as flawed.

Jamaica's deputy police commissioner Mark Shields, the man leading the inquiry, said yesterday he was "100 per cent certain" that Mr Sheshaiah was correct with his verdict.

"There is very clear evidence of murder, some of which I will not disclose to anybody," he added.

Explaining his decision to ask for a second, independent test, however, he said: "If we arrest someone this week and charge them, the defence counsel will want a second post-mortem."

A future jury might also feel an independent examination should have been carried out.

The new inquiry, which will probably be conducted by a pathologist from overseas, should allow Kingston coroner Patrick Murphy to release Mr Woolmer's remains for burial in the next few days.

Mr Murphy had previously indicated that the Pakistan cricket coach's body must stay within his jurisdiction until the inquest is concluded.

The prospect of a speedier funeral will come as some small comfort to the coach's grieving widow, Gill, who is waiting to bury him near their home in Cape Town.

Mystery has surrounded Mr Woolmer's death since he was found by a chambermaid in his 12th floor hotel room in Kingston 11 days ago.

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