‘Akiel died by drowning’

PATHOLOGIST Dr Neville Jankey yesterday testified that he “can definitely say that Akiel Chambers died by drowning.” Dr Jankey was testifying before a coroner’s inquest being held to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 11-year-old Akiel Chambers, who died on May 23, 1998.

Chambers’ body was found on Sunday May 24, 1998 at the bottom of a swimming pool at a house at 23 Balata Terrace, Haleland Park, Maraval, where he had attended a birthday party the day before.  At the inquest yesterday, Jankey explained that he could not exclude the possibility that the child did not drown by accident or that he may have been submerged under the water by someone else, but he could say definitely that the cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning. Jankey explained that he examined Chambers’ body on May 25, 1998, and found that his knees were slightly bruised, the lungs were waterlogged and the body was cyanosed, which meant that the body was bluish in colour from a lack of oxygen. He said he also found that the anus was patulous and the anal canal was lax. He said based on the findings he concluded that the child was subjected to repeated anal intercourse. He explained that despite this finding he did not take any anal swab, since he did not believe that the anal intercourse was directly related to the cause of death. He also explained that his examination found that there were no abnormalities to the other organs in Chambers’ body, which could have led to death and no sign of decomposition, which meant that death could not have occurred more than 12 - 15 hours prior to the discovery of the body.

Jankey admitted that the findings of water logged lungs alone did not point to drowning, however his diagnosis was based on the fact that the lungs were waterlogged and no evidence of any natural disease or trauma was found in the vital organs. Asked by attorney Desmond Allum SC if he was aware that an anal swab was done, which revealed that there was spermatozoid present in the anal cavity, Dr Jankey said that he had read about those findings in a newspaper report. However, he was not aware that there was spermatozoid in the anal canal. He explained that it was impossible for a pathologist to find evidence of spermatozoid, until a microscopic examination was conducted. Dr Jankey also informed the inquest conducted by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls, who is presiding as coroner at the inquest, that he was not told that the boy’s body was found in a crouching position in the pool. He said, had he been given that information he would have found that to be highly unusual, since a person who drowns is usually found stretched out. He also explained that a body could be found in a crouched position after drowning if that person was struggling to get to the surface. He said that the body remains in a crouched position and rigor mortis occurs instantaneously.

Court Prosecutor Sgt Kenneth Cordner asked Dr Jankey if it was possible for asphyxia to occur during anal sex. Dr Jankey explained that while it was possible for this to happen, the lungs would not be water logged and the neck would show marks around it. He said that strangulation during sexual intercourse could cause cyanosis, but not flooding of the lungs. He also explained that a person who has a heart attack may have flooding of the lungs, but with a heart failure, there is an abnormality of the heart. Another witness called to give evidence was PC Anton Mitchell, who testified that on May 23, 1998, he was attached to the Maraval Police Station. He said around 11.20 pm he received a wireless message to return to the police station where he spoke to PC Maraj in the presence of Valerie Pascall. After they left the station and went to a house at Maraval, owned by Anne James. He spoke to Anne and her daughter Carol James. He then requested permission to search the premises. He said that he observed that there was a swimming pool in the backyard. The pool was about 30 ft by 20 ft. He went to the pool area, which was lit by security lights and lights coming from the house. There he found a pool rod about 10 - 12 feet in length, with a circle mesh about 14 inches in diameter, which he used to search the inside of the pool to determine whether there was a body inside. He said he found nothing in the pool.

After the search he returned to the Maraval Police Station with Pascall. He said around 9 - 9.30 am the following day, he returned to the James’ premises in the company of PCs Alvarez, Frit and Joefield. He said that Alvarez spoke to James and then they went to the back of the house. There Alvarez alerted his attention to something in the pool. He said when he looked inside the pool, he saw a silhouette (Chambers)  located to the centre of the pool. He said Chambers appeared to be in a clenched position. The body, which was clad in a red and white swimming trunk type shorts, was placed on the side of the pool. He said there was froth coming from Chambers’ nostrils. The body was then removed to the Port-of-Spain Mortuary where a post mortem was later performed. He also testified that the body was viewed at the scene by DMO for the area, Dr Assing. Other witnesses to testify at the inquest included Cpl Husbands and police photographer WPC Derril. The matter was adjourned to Monday.