Coroner rules: ‘Someone is guilty of killing Akiel’

CORONER Sherman McNicolls said yesterday that Akiel Cham-bers’ death by drowning was not accidental and there are grounds to suspect that someone was responsible for the death of the 11-year-old schoolboy.

McNicolls, who presided at the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court, said there was something very disturbing about this case and he believes that someone committed an indictable offence. “I do not find on the evidence that this was an accidental drowning. This matter needs more microscopic examination and further investigations. Someone or persons unknown are responsible or guilty of the death of Akiel Chambers.”

McNicolls referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police for further investigations, which will include possible DNA testing abroad. McNicolls said that under the Coroner’s Act, there was so much he could do. He said he had reached the end of the line. He pointed out that both pathologists Dr Neville Jankey and Dr Hughvon Des Vignes concluded that Akiel died by asphyxia as a result of drowning. In his findings, the Coroner ruled the death of Akiel Chambers as “uncertain.” McNicolls’ ruling followed five months of hearing in which 21 witnesses, including several schoolchildren gave evidence.

Akiel, a student of Blackman’s Private School, attended a birthday party at the home of Charles and Annelore James at Balata Terrace, Haleland Park, Maraval, on May 23, 1998. He was reported missing that afternoon. Searches were conducted around the premises and in the swimming pool, but he was not found. He mysteriously re-surfaced the following morning in the same pool. Desmond Allum SC, Dr Kenneth O’Brien, and Donna Prowell, looked after the interest of the Chambers’ family. Acting Inspector Kenneth Cordner was the court prosecutor. In his final address to the Coroner, Allum said there was an abundance of evidence that Akiel’s body was placed in the pool the day after he disappeared. He said that based on the post-mortem findings, it was clear that Akiel had been sexually abused around the time he disappeared. Allum said although Dr Des Vignes concluded that Akiel died from drowning, he felt that the boy was smothered.

He said although no one has been identified as being responsible for Akiel’s death, the evidence pointed to the commission of indictable offences. Allum said while someone could be charged with either murder or manslaughter, there was evidence to lead to a buggery indictment. He asked that the file be sent to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to see what assistance is available in a foreign country as there are no facilities in Trinidad for DNA testing. “This has been a stain on the conscience of the society,” Allum told the Coroner. “There are a number of persons who want to keep the truth away from you. None of us can feel comfortable if we do not do all that is possible to bring this matter to a meaningful close.”Cordner, the court prosecutor, agreed with Allum that there was an attempt to keep the truth away from the Coroner. He said 21 witnesses gave evidence and there was a divided view as to the condition of the pool on both May 23 and 24, 1998. However, Cordner said that based on the evidence, it was clear that Akiel died by drowning. He pointed out that Akiel was subjected to prolonged sexual abuse by someone.