Senator Jayanti demands independent forensic investigation on Andrea

Trinidad and Tobago: Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial released a statement on the brutal murder of Andrea Bharatt yesterday.

She expressed her heart out she demanded, “the State should arrange a foreign independent forensic examination.”

She added, while the country is still mourning and traumatized over the tragic death of young Andrea Bharatt, T&T are now faced with more questions surrounding the efficacy of the State’s arms and the functioning of the criminal justice system.

The media reported that the State conducted autopsy was unresolved; that is, the reason for death could not be established. This has severe connotations for any future prosecution of individuals who may have played a role in Andrea’s killing. Without an official reason for death, a charge of murder would not stand.

People of T&T then learned that another pathologist conducted a privately financed autopsy at a non-state facility. This means that proof was handed over to private individuals, and the chain of custody was disclosed. 

This second research has also called into question state forensic examinations’ ability, with many citizens now investigating whether other autopsies ought to be re-done privately. This is a level of chaos that the Government cannot be left unaddressed, whose responsibility is to guarantee that investigations and prosecutions are not compromised.

She calls upon the Attorney General to take prompt steps to have an international forensic expert brought in to conduct a third examination at a state-supervised facility. A fair and independent forensic examination result would be possible to the police and the DPP for compensation if they have to consider charges.

There is good precedent for this in Daniel Guerra, who died in 2011 and whose cause was questioned. After a third autopsy confirmed that he was murdered, charges of murder were then brought. 

This third autopsy was championed by the Honourable Kamla Persad Bissessar, who as PM saw it as her duty to provide every possible resource to fight crime and guarantee that justice was served, and paid particular attention to cases involving the murder of children. Then-Attorney General Anand Ramlogan settled that the needful was done, thereby preserving the criminal justice system’s integrity.

She calls upon AG Al Rawi to do likewise and instantly procure the services of an independent expert who could manage the necessary examination immediately and guarantee that those responsible for Andrea’s death are brought to justice and do not benefit from any loopholes or noted deficiencies in the system.

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