CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, January 5, 2016 (SAVE SKN) - In the matter of a coroner's inquest into the murder of Philo Wallace, the recently formed group, SAVE ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, has some serious questions that should be answered before an inquest is held.
Having read the coroner's inquest Act revised in 2002, we have reservations about the impartiality of an inquest in which the alleged perpetrator is a police officer.
i. Material evidence is collected and presented by the police.
ii. Witness statements are taken and presented by the police.
iii. The five person jury is chosen by the police.
iv. A Coroner's Inquest is a closed proceeding. A lawyer for the victim or victim's family may request to be present. The Coroner does not have to honor the request.
As the Federation currently has advisors from the UK and also FBI from the United States here aiding in the development of a more professional police force, SAVE SKN would like to suggest that the Federation utilize these outside experts to investigate the shooting of Philo Wallace. Such an investigation by independent experts would help eliminate the possibility of bias in the proceedings.
It is the opinion of the group that an inquest is unnecessary and will not serve the cause of justice. The cause of death is plain. We feel this coroner's inquest could not be conducted without prejudice.
As noted earlier the experts from the UK and the FBI from the United States are already here. We would suggest that they or other independent experts be utilized to conduct a separate investigation into Philo's death on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
We also suggest, in the interest of transparency, that journalists request permission to attend. We appeal to the Coroner to grant such a request.
Ruth Powell
Chair, SAVE SKN GROUP
island.oma@gmail.com
Cell phone: 1 (869) 661-3758
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