Witnesses finally served in Akiel’s inquest

THE inquest into the death of schoolboy Akiel Chambers will start on September 22 as the witnesses have finally been summoned. Newsday was informed on Friday that the witnesses were served two weeks ago to attend court — the first time they were summoned since the inquest was ordered more than three years ago. The last time the inquest was called was before Magistrate Marcia Thompson-Murray, sitting as Coroner at NIPDEC House. However, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicholls will take over the proceedings when the case is called on the next occasion, Newsday was reliably informed.

When the inquest was called on August 11, just two witnesses were present — Valerie Pascall, aunt of the dead boy, and PC Clive Alvarez, the investigating officer. The court will inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Chambers, whose body was found in the swimming pool of businessman Charles James at Haleland Park, Maraval, on May 24, 1998. Akiel Chambers had gone to the Maraval residence to attend a birthday party for James’ daughter Carrie, when he disappeared. Akiel was discovered missing from the birthday party, and according to one witness, he was last seen leaving the premises. A search was mounted for the 11-year-old boy, but he was not found. Even the swimming pool was searched.

Shortly before midnight, Akiel’s body was found in a crouched position in the swimming pool. An autopsy performed by forensic pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes revealed that Akiel died from drowning. But the pathologist found spermatozoa in the rectum of the boy, leading investigating to believe that he was sexually molested prior to his death. On April 19, 2000, Coroner Jai Narine ruled that Akiel’s death was as a result of an accidental drowning. No inquest was held and the Coroner’s decision came after reviewing the file. The following month, the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mark Mohammed ordered a second inquest. Chief Justice Sat Sharma expressed concern recently that the inquest hearing is taking so long to get off the ground.