| Human Rights body calls for serious investigation into ASP Murray’s death |
| Monday, 02 August 2010 | |
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By Michael Jordan President of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) Michael Mc Cormack believes that there should be “a more serious investigation” into the death of Assistant Superintendent Ivelaw Murray, although police officials have indicated that the case is as good as closed. Mr. Mc Cormack confirmed yesterday that Murray’s father, retired Superintendant, Ivan Daniels, who believes that his son was murdered, had approached the GHRA. “The facts, in our view, require a more serious investigation,” The GHRA President told Kaieteur News. “An inquest is probably the way to go…the circumstances require an inquest, and we are still reviewing what other steps should be taken.” The dead rank’s father told Kaieteur News that the family had handed some documents pertaining to the case to the GHRA as well as to the Police Complaints Authority (PAC). PCA Chairman and former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard told Kaieteur News last night that the dead rank’s mother had met with him. He said that she had given him a statement and had also handed over photographs which showed Murray’s injuries. However, he said that he was not given Dr. Brijmohan’s report. Kennard explained that because the case was one of “unnatural death”, the Police Commissioner is duty bound to send a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who could either recommend that an inquest be conducted or that persons be charged. “The Commissioner of Police does not have the final say. The Commissioner (Greene) can’t close the file just like that. He should carry out an investigation and send the relevant statements to me… The DPP has the final say in deciding if anyone is criminally responsible.” Copies of the photographs, which were also given to Kaieteur News, show the wounds below Murray’s chin and the exit wound between the eyebrows. The photographs also show the entrance and exit wounds by the temples. Kaieteur News also has a copy of Dr. Brijmohan’s autopsy report, which stated that death was due to “unnatural causes.” According to Mr. Daniels, he also gave the GHRA information which pointed to foul play in his son’s death. “The people (GHRA and Police Complaints Authority) were amazed at the Commissioner’s stand (in claiming murder/suicide). “We are continuing with this…we are not giving up.” Murray’s relatives say that a medical expert has said that Murray would have been unable to fire both shots, since either shot would have killed him. Medical experts who spoke to Kaieteur News gave differing opinions on whether Murray could have fired both shots. Murray’s relatives also point to the absence of gunpowder residue on his hands, and the failure of investigators to retrieve any of the warheads in the dead police officer’s home. Investigators who spoke with Kaieteur News stated that all the ranks who were on duty at the Springlands Police Station on the fateful night should have had their hands swabbed for gunpowder residue. All reports indicate that this was not done. Kaieteur News also confirmed that Dr. Brijmohan examined both ranks for signs of homosexual activity but found none. Their views are at odds with those of Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who has repeatedly insisted that Murray took his own life after killing Police Constable Kelvin Shepherd. In a statement released last week, police said that the Force’s handwriting expert confirmed that the handwriting on a note found in Assistant Superintendent Ivelaw Murray’s bedroom on the day of his death was his. The release said that the note which was written on a note-pad stated “Sorry Mom. I love you and will always will”. The release also confirmed that results of a test conducted by the Police Forensics Department revealed no trace of gunpowder residue on the hands of the late Assistant Superintendent. But the statement said that Forensic Analyst Superintendent Stephen Greaves explained that the presence of a significant amount of blood on the swabs used on Murray’s hands made it unlikely that traces of gunpowder residue could have been detected. A forensic expert who had spoken to Kaieteur News stated that there should have been substantial traces of gunpowder on Murray’s hands, given the fact that he allegedly discharged three gunshots on the fateful night. Murray’s mother had told Kaieteur News previously that the ‘suicide note’ was written in script, and appeared to have been written in June. Both parents said that they believed that someone other than Murray wrote the note. |
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