Dr. Govinda Raju also explained that based on the results of both internal and external examinations, Corporal Dion Bowles died as a result of stab injuries to the chest.
According to Dr. Raju, autopsy results revealed that there were blood stains over the chest and abdomen of Corporal Bowles, who suffered one major injury – a deep cut wound to the left mid chest that was about 19 inches from his head.
The pathologist said an internal examination revealed that the prison guard’s left chest cavity was filled with blood clots and that his left lung had collapsed.
The jury also heard that the direction of the wound indicated that the assailant was to the left side of the officer and that based on the length and width of the injury, the length of the blade could have been around four inches with a maximum width of one inch.
The pathologist also told the court that an autopsy was conducted on prison inmate Neil Brown on January 27, just over a week after the deadly prison escape during which time he was killed.
The witness said Brown, who was a condemned man at Her Majesty’s Prison, had bloodstains over his nostrils, oral cavity, right and left hand, left mid and upper chest, eyes and knees.
According to Dr. Raju, the blood may have come out of his nostrils, seeping over to his face at the time of his death.
He further explained that Brown suffered a gunshot wound to the upper inner left knee, but that the main cause of death was the result of a gunshot injury to the chest.
Dr. Raju also recalled that several items were recovered from Brown’s pocket, including a silver handled knife, a double-edged blade that was attached to a long handle, and one box-cutter knife.
When questioned by Coroner Linda Virgill, the pathologist said he could not say the range of firing.
“Maybe, if I had the opportunity to examine the body fresh,” he said. “But I didn’t, but it appears to be of near range. “
He said he was not able to comment on the type of gun or projectile used, as he was not an expert in this area.
Coroner Virgill also questioned whether both men would have died instantly after being wounded. Dr. Raju replied that in both cases, the victims could have performed few activities, moving around about 25 to 30 steps, but soon after collapsing.
At least two witnesses have testified that Brown, Barry Parcoi and Forrester Bowe were all alive at the time they were recaptured.
In her testimony Wednesday, Police Constable Anastacia Russell told the court that she heard what sounded like a gunshot at the time the inmates were struggling with officers once they were recaptured.
Two senior prison officers also took the stand on Thursday as family members of inmates, Brown and Bowe, looked on. Family members are allowed to ask the witnesses questions pertaining to the incident.
Prison Sergeant Herman Major, who also testified, told the court that he was slated to work in the Principal’s Office (an office in the prison where principals and sergeants are usually stationed) from 10pm Monday, January 16 to 6am the following morning.
He said upon arriving at work, he asked his superior, Inspector Gregory Rolle, to leave early Tuesday morning at around 4am because of a personal appointment. The appointment was scheduled for 8am.
“He asked who I would leave in charge and I told him and he said okay,” Sergeant Major said.
Sergeant Major said he had arranged with Steven Sands to assume his duties. This included turning over the keys to the Armory where the prison’s ammunitions are kept.
But when the Coroner asked why he simply did not wait until Inspector Rolle returned to the P.O. he said: “Sometimes he doesn’t come right back (after his checks). Sometimes he stays in the back until morning. And since I had already spoken to him, I thought it okay.”
But Sergeant Major’s testimony contradicted Chief Inspector Rolle, who on Wednesday told the court he had not given Major permission to leave until the police arrived at 5am to take the prisoners, who were headed to Freeport.
Sergeant Major, a resident of Yamacraw Shores, said he had not long opened his front door when he heard the prison’s sirens go off, at which time he returned to work.
Also testifying Thursday was Sergeant Sands, the officer in charge of the west wing of the Maximum Security section.
He said when he reported to work he was brought up to date on the count on the blocks and that the total was not right, which “sometimes” happens.
The court heard that when Sergeant Sands made his cell checks around 2am, he simply did a head count and did not check the bars.
He said at the time the only thing he noticed was that the Neil Brown, Forrester Bowe and Barry Parcoi were still awake.
“They were fidgeting something,” he said.
“Brown was laid across the floor of his cell. There was no light on and he had no curtain to the front of his cell. Parcoi and Bowe were standing to their cells. Parcoi stopped me and told me that Corey Hepburn had some sweet milk for him and he really needed him. I said what you need it for. Give me one minute. Hepburn was playing with a game boy. I told him what Barry said and he said he did not have any-Sometimes we get these types of requests but it’s up to the officer to do so.”
He said while accompanying Inspector Rolle on another check around 3:30am, he noticed that Forrester Bowe and Barry Parcoi were still in the same position – standing in their cells.
Sergeant Sands went on to testify that while in the P.O. around 4:15am, he heard “a lot of noise from the back.
“I thought it was the prisoners being held to go to Freeport,” he said. “But when McKinney and I checked and I looked up as we turned to go back to Maximum, I saw Bowe on top of the roof of the western group. I went back to the office and reported it and the sirens went off.”
The court also heard that shortly after, Sergeant Sands saw officer David Armbrister with his hands tied and blood “coming from his body.”
He said officer Kenneth Sweeting followed Armbrister with ropes hanging from his hand, and he (Sweeting) was bleeding from his shoulder.
“When I along with officer Bodie went to look for Bowles, we noticed that all of the corridors to the C block were open,” Sergeant Sands continued.
“When I came through the main western door, I noticed that the phone was off the hook and that the corridor door to cells 16 to 25 was closed, but not locked. As I was about to turn, I saw Corporal Bowles, lying on his left side covered with a blanket. His hands and legs were tied and a tam was thrown over his head. We brought him to the courtyard.”
The officer said he tried to loosen his colleague’s hands. He said it was only when he rested him down that he noticed the stab wounds to Bowles’ left chest.
Testimony is set to resume today.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
