Pathologist tells jury shock, hemorrhage killed victim

Old Year’s Day murder

Days after an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest following delays in giving evidence, State Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan on Monday appeared at the High Court trial of Steve Allicock, who is accused of murdering Wendell Tappin on Old Year’s Day 2009.
The final witnesses were expected to testify by Friday last but the prosecution was unable to find Dr Brijmohan and the deceased Wendell’s sister, Natasha Tappin. As such trial judge Navindra Singh issued arrest warrants for them, which spurred prompt and timely court appearances on Monday.

Taking the stand just after 10:00 h, Dr Brijmohan testified to carrying out the post-mortem examination (PME) of Tappin. The PME report was later admitted into evidence. According to the pathologist, the victim suffered multiple stabbing injuries, evidenced by wounds of varying depths.
The doctor told the court of witnessing wounds that were oval-shaped and semi-circular in nature. The 12 member jury heard that Tappin’s ribs were fractured, he was stabbed in the left ventricle of the heart and suffered abrasions to the forehead, face and nose.
The pathologist gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage due to stab wounds. Before stepping down from the stand, Dr Brijmoham turned directly to the jury and apologised for his absence in court.
Wendell’s sister Natasha also testify. She was quite shaky in giving her evidence and had to be asked several times if she wanted to sit. She, however braved through, amid tears, recalling that she had rushed to the scene of her brother’s fatal stabbing, near a truck, after receiving information that it had occurred.
“I saw him on the ground, I turn he over and I put me hand on I and I start calling for help,” the dead man’s elder sister recalled, nothing she had also exclaimed: “Somebody please help me!”
At this point, several of the witnesses’ family members were seen weeping. Tappin also told the jury that on the way to scene of the attack she saw “buck”, a name referred to one of the Allicock family members. She later saw her own brother, Tyson Tappin at the scene.
State Prosecutor Tuana Hardy asked the witness how she came to know Steve Allicock, to which Tappin responded that she knew him all her life, growing up in Albouystown. The deceased man’s sister further explained that she used to see the accused all the time before the incident occurred but never saw him again until Monday’s hearing.
His Defence Attorney, Maxwell McKay opted not to call any witnesses to stand after the prosecution closed its case.
The State contends that Allicock killed Tappinn on December 31, 2009 at Hill Street, Albouystown. Reports are on the day of the killing, Tappin, of Lot 88 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, reportedly had an altercation with the three before he was stabbed and chopped. Tappin had been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Later in Monday’s hearing both the Defence and Prosecution presented its closing arguments which indicates that the accused will soon know his fate.
Allicock of Albouystown, Georgetown denied being responsible for Tappin’s demise. Six witnesses testified throughout the trial. Allicock’s uncle, Randolph Allicock and father, Leonard Allicock had all been charged with the murder of Tappin and one of the three former accused was acquitted for the capital offence.
State Prosecutor Hardy led the State’s case with assistance from Tamica Clarke and Seeta Bishundial. Justice Nadindra Singh will soon sum up the case before the 12-member jury can deliberate and make a determination on Allicock’s innocence or guilt.