-post-mortem report

The body of Godwin Maxwell was recovered early yesterday morning and a subsequent post-mortem revealed that he died of asphyxiation due to drowning and blunt trauma to the head.

Godwin Maxwell

According to a police release, the body was recovered at about 6.30 yesterday morning “by a search party comprising police ranks and relatives”.  The post-mortem was done by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh.

Maxwell, 30, of Calcutta, Mahaicony had made an attempt at escaping after he was placed on $45,000 bail on tax evasion charges at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court.

“I am satisfied with the finding of the post-mortem,” Wilbert Inniss, Maxwell’s uncle said. He further added, “We were interested in clarifying the public perception that he was shot by the police ‘cause we know that these things tend to put them in a bad light.”

Inniss spoke to this newspaper from his home in Calcutta, Mahaicony which is two houses from Maxwell’s house. Police officers were there at the time taking a statement from Inniss.

Maxwell’s wife, Patryce Downer was at the couple’s home surrounded by family members. She had forwarded all inquiries about Maxwell to Inniss.

Meanwhile, Head of the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Mohamed Jameer, yesterday said that investigations into the custody and handling of Maxwell are still ongoing. He said that he was waiting on  his officers to return from the area and come forward with the report.

A statement on Tuesday night from Police Headquarters, Eve Leary said that the OPR had been mandated to probe the circumstances of Godwin Maxwell’s handling by the police. The statement came amidst  growing questions as to why the police had fired at the fleeing man.

Maxwell is suspected to have made an attempt at escaping after realising that he did not have the bail money. According to Inniss the family had gathered some money but it fell short of the bail that was granted.

Inniss, who was present with Maxwell in court, said that he had left his nephew with police officers and went to plead with the magistrate to have the bail reduced when they all “hear people shouting that a man jump overboard. When we look through the window we see Maxwell head and subsequently we hear gunshot rang out.”

Yesterday Inniss reiterated that it was only one shot he heard.

Inniss had explained previously that Maxwell was not in handcuffs at the time because he was not considered high-profile.

When Jameer was asked yesterday about the procedure for officers in apprehending prisoners who attempt to escape, he said that it “depends on who the prisoner is and if he is armed.”

Inniss who was a promoter and an antenna maker was summoned to court for not paying taxes on three events he held at a community centre opposite his home. The father of three was said to be a loving man who worked hard to look after his children and his events were geared towards getting the young people of the community involved in meaningful activities and to keep them out of trouble.