Following his examination on the body of Chayben Bounahra on Tuesday Chief
Pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran told the media that while the results of samples
have yet to be determined, based on the post mortem, he has no doubt that it
was a suicide. That finding does not sit well with the Bounahra family. And
today they let that be known in a statement they released to the media by their
attorney this afternoon.
They strongly object to what they call a premature conclusion of suicide stating
that all forensic samples have not been analyzed and a decision should be based
on all evidence not just portions. But beyond samples, the family says that
a finding of suicide must be based on intention, and in the absence of a suicide
note or a clear motive, they cannot say what it is until further tests determine
whether it was homicide, suicide or accident. And the family says the most important
factor in that – more important than the post mortem - are other forensic
tests.
Our information tells us they are talking about swabs for gunpowder residue
on the hands of both Bounahra and his girlfriend Evita Bedran – who were
the only two known to be in the room at the time of the shooting. But those
tests are an issue. Apparently the swabs for gunpowder residue were not taken
from Evita Bedran’s hands until some hours after the shooting –
when she was already in Belize City.
But the family says it will do all it can to get hold of those swabs and send
them abroad for further testing in labs that can detect residue taken as much
as 48 hours after a shooting. Sounds like a parallel investigation, which made
us ask what are all these tests for? Well, the family release says that, “these
results are in no way intended for utilization in Belize, and are being done
solely for the satisfaction of the family.”
And the police certainly aren’t relying on the tests. Their investigation
we are told is also pointing to a suicide, but no final decision will be made
until after the file is compiled and passed unto the DPP for a final decision.
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