Pathologist contradicts evidence of witnesses

“With God, nothing is impossible, but it would have been humanly impossible for a gun to cause an injury of that extent with the deceased standing ten feet away.” This was the response of Forensic Pathologist Hughvon des Vignes yesterday at the resumption of the inquest into the shooting death of Galene Bonadie as he was questioned by Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls. Des Vignes testified that Bonadie died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. In contradicting evidence given by several witnesses to the shooting, most of whom told the court that Bonadie was a great distance away when she was shot, the pathologist told the packed courtroom, “It was highly possible the muzzle of the firearm could have been six inches or less away from the point of impact.”

The detailed findings of the pathologist’s report caused a hush to fall on the courtroom when des Vignes explained to the court what his training and expertise had caused him to conclude. “The muzzle of the weapon from which the bullet came would have most likely been close enough to the head of the deceased. “The features of the injury are therefore suggestive that the muzzle of the weapon was less than a foot from the head of the deceased on discharge of the firearm, and possibly even much less than a foot,” the pathologist told the court.  He said, “I have however received the results of blood and urine samples taken from the deceased which show that her blood alcohol level was at 91.”

Noting that Trinidad and Tobago has not yet established any legal limits of intoxication, des Vignes indicated to the court that several countries, including Canada, USA and Europe, maintain that a level of 80 is legally considered intoxication. Under questioning by attorney Israel Khan SC, who is representing the four police officers who are the subjects of the inquest, des Vignes was asked to explain the term “super ego” to the court. In his explanation, the court heard from the pathologist that one’s “super ego” controls a person’s mood, position, and actions. 

“Alcohol would suppress your super ego. Whether you are disciplined or not, alcohol, in deliberation, would result in a release of inhibitions that would have normally been controlled by your super ego,” des Vignes said. A mother of five of Second Caledonia, Vegas, Morvant, Bonadie was shot and killed on April 2 2004 during a confrontation between residents and police officers who were patrolling the area. The officers, who were then attached to the North Eastern Divisional Task Force, are Dale Mackoonsingh, Brian Phillips, Imraz Hosein and Sherwin Sinnette. The matter is being heard in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court and being presided over by Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls. Hearing resumes tomorrow.