March 22, 2007
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP): The inquest into Bob Woolmer's
death, scheduled to get underway on Monday, has been
postponed due to "new and significant developments".
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|
Jamaica deputy police commissioner Mark
Shields |
A statement from the Jamaican justice ministry said the
decision was taken following advice from the coroner.
"The coroner wishes that these new and significant
developments be pursued with the utmost urgency, taking into
account that the officer in charge has advised that these
new developments are critical to the progress and the
eventual results of the investigations themselves," said the
statement.
"If it becomes necessary for an inquest to be held after the
new and material developments have been investigated, then
another date for the holding of the inquest will be
appointed."
Woolmer, the coach of the Pakistan team at the World Cup,
was found unconscious in his room at the Pegasus Hotel the
morning after his side had suffered a shock defeat to
Ireland.
Detectives launched a murder investigation after an autopsy
indicated that the 58-year-old former England Test player
had been strangled.
The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper said that the inquest had been
postponed because of security concerns as the hearing was
scheduled to begin a day before the first World Cup
semi-final, being held at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
The report claimed that police had met with coroner Patrick
Murphy.
During the meeting it was determined that the combined
events would stretch police resources.
Deputy police commissioner Mark Shields, the man leading the
hunt for the killer, said: "My principal concerns were
(that) to conduct an inquest at this stage may seriously
hinder the progress of the criminal investigation, including
the potential for the suspect or suspects to be alerted as
to the progress of the investigation," Shields said.
"It might also prejudice a jury trial and the investigation
is still at an early stage and is extremely complicated and
holding an inquest now would be premature. There is also the
consideration of the semi-final happening in Kingston at the
same time."
Scotland Yard and Pakistani detectives, as well as Interpol,
have been drafted in to help the investigation.
On Wednesday, Ireland's World Cup squad supplied statements,
fingerprints and DNA samples as part of the ongoing police
investigation.
"These tests were carried out with a view to eliminating the
Ireland squad from their enquiries," said a team statement.
"We would like to stress that on the evening of the Woolmer
murder, no member of the Irish squad were actually in the
hotel, as they were attending a celebration St Patrick's Day
party in Ocho Rios, some 50 miles away.
"The team didn't return until the late evening of Sunday,
March 18." |
