October 23, 2007: The inquest into the death of
Bob Woolmer, whose death helped to cast a cloud over the
2007 Cricket World Cup, took a dramatic twist on Monday when
a Canadian toxicologists testified that a toxic substance
was present in the system of the deceased.
Dr Michael Pollanen, chief forensic pathologist for the
province of Ontario, Canada, made the revelation while being
questioned by Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry.
According to the Jamaica Observer, an excerpt of the
examination is as follows.
"Were you provided with a toxicology report?" Pantry
asked.
"No," Pollanen replied.
"Were you informed that poison was in Bob Woolmer's
stomach contents?" Pantry continued.
"No, I am aware that there is a positive toxicological
finding, but I am not aware of the details," Pollanen
replied. "A foreign substance or toxin was detected."
"Are you aware of a substance called cypermethrin?"
Pantry asked.
"I am aware of the general class. It is an insecticide,"
Pollanen answered.
"If you had ingested a substance such as cypermethrin,
could it weaken your body?" Pantry continued.
"Yes, it could," Pollanen said.
The testimony contradicts assertions made by Jamaican
police in June, that "The toxicology tests have now been
completed. No substance was found to indicate that Bob
Woolmer was poisoned or in any other way incapacitated. The
Jamaica Constabulary Force accepts these findings and has
now closed its investigation into the death of Mr Woolmer,"
The inquest is ongoing in Jamaica today.
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