The family of a man who was shot and killed by police say that they are not satisfied with the results of the post mortem and the fact that they were not allowed to be present when it was done.
A press release by the police this week stated that on Friday, August 22, 2015 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Kervin Joseph of New Development Soufriere. The examination, according to the statement, revealed that Joseph sustained one gunshot wound to the right side of the abdomen and one gunshot wound to the left knee.
He died as a result of hemorrhagic shock (excessive blood loss) secondary to gunshot wounds, the post mortem revealed.
Both police and eyewitness accounts indicated that “multiple gun shots” were fired at the victim as police tried to restrain him during a struggle. Joseph who is said to be of unsound mind was stopped by police that day, confiscating a sack of produce and a cutlass he was carrying and attempted to arrest him.
This week pathologist Stephen King told reporters that under the laws of the land the post mortem area is determined a crime scene in such instances and as a result the police could disallow the presence of even family members. He said he is willing to meet with the familiar “once emotions have tempered” to explain the post mortem further, using diagrams if necessary. -T.N.
