Berbice teen allegedly beaten to death: Autopsy suggests vehicular accident, DPP advises Inquest into death

…as several arrested for allegedly tampering with autopsy report to indicate ‘stab wounds’

An autopsy performed on the body of 16-year-old Justin Smith of Number 47 Village, Corentyne, found that the injuries on the body were consistent with that of a vehicular accident. The autopsy, which was conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan, gave the cause of death as due to shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple injuries consistent with a vehicular accident.
The incident occurred on July 13, at Number 46 Village. It had been reported that it was a road accident involving the teenager’s motorcycle alone.
However, the teen’s mother Dhanraji Seenauth called Anita, claims that her son was beaten by three young men from the same village.

Making mention of three wounds to his body, Seenauth told this publication that there was a hole at the back of her son’s head which she believes was caused when he was struck off the motorcycle he was riding.
The woman added that there was what appeared to be a defensive chop wound to his hand and another chop wound to his back.
Police however, say that initial investigations reveal that the victim’s mother claimed she received information that her son Justin had fallen off a motorcycle and was in a critical condition on the Number 46 Public Road.
Further investigations were conducted the day after the incident by the police, who revealed that several persons claimed that Smith was consuming alcoholic beverages at a Chinese Supermarket and left alone on a motorcycle.
According to the police, CCTV footage showed that the motorcyclist was speeding and had overtaken a motor vehicle proceeding in the said direction before veering off and crashing on the southern grass parapet where a red “row plough” was parked.

“The row plough had several scratches, fabric remnants, sponge (from the motorcycle seat), leather, and a black wristband,” police noted in a release.
However, following the teen’s death, the grieving mother insists that her son was beaten to death by villagers. She claimed that there was an ongoing feud between her son and a young village gang. The woman also mentioned that her late husband fell victim to the gang when he once approached them in relation to alleged injuries Smith received.
The matter between her husband and gang members received the attention of the court. Following the demise of Smith police arrested three persons who were subsequently released.
In its release the police said they were able to obtain statements from those arrested.
It noted that a 23-year-old male stated that he, ‘Andy’ and another man were drinking when Smith approached on his motorcycle. ‘Andy’ raised his hand in a ‘gesticulating’ manner.
The other man told police that he was present, heard the crash and saw Smith’s motorcycle collide with a plough on the northern parapet. He, however, denied raising his hand in a pelting gesture but claimed he left to get help and returned to find others assisting. The police subsequently sought legal advice and the Director of Public Prosecution has recommended that an Inquest to be carried out in relation to the death of Justin Smith. Meanwhile, in a further twist, several persons have reportedly been taken into custody after the report issued by the pathologist was allegedly tampered with and the words ‘stab wound’ inserted.