Forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov yesterday defended his findings that prisoner Tyrone Peters died as a result of asphyxia caused by hanging while he was in custody at the La Horquetta Police Station.

Alexandrov, who has been a pathologist for the past 40 years, defended himself yesterday after an Express report revealed that a second autopsy, commissioned by Peters’ family, suggested he died as a result of strangulation.

The second autopsy was conducted by pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes. And while Alexandrov’s initial autopsy had indicated that Peters had died from hanging, des Vignes’ autopsy suggested he died as a result of throttling (application of arm lock or choke hold).

In an almost immediate response to this yesterday, Alexandrov said: ’I strongly disagree with the conclusions of Dr Des Vignes and really do not know if he (Des Vignes) has any proof to convince the judge or members of the jury that this gentleman (Peters) was murdered by compression on his neck.’

Peters, of Santa Cruz Old Road, Lower Santa Cruz, was held by police officers on August 18 and incarcerated at the La Horquetta station pending identification parades. However, officers say they found him hanging in the cell on August 22.

Following his death and initial autopsy, relatives retained des Vignes who, on August 27, conducted the second autopsy at the Saint Rose Funeral Home in Tunapuna. Des Vignes found that Peters died as a result of throttling and suggested that Peters did not die as a result of a hanging.

Saying this was not the first time relatives had believed their loved ones had been murdered while incarcerated, Alexandrov, who is attached to the Forensic Science Centre in St James, said: ’I have been through this many times. If someone dies while in prison, the first thought which crosses relatives’ minds ...is this person was murdered.’

He questioned whether the second autopsy performed had any merit, however, referring primarily to the location and those present at the funeral home during the autopsy.

’There is nothing illegal about doing a second autopsy, but it should be done in the appropriate environment. The body should be brought back to the Forensic Centre and should be witnessed by the appropriate people and not people who are embalming the body. The police or any other forensic pathologist present should be there,’ Alexandrov said.

Also responding to the second autopsy was Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert, who said ’that enquiries will continue into the incident, taking into consideration all recent statements made’.

Philbert, in a media release, added: ’It is erroneous to conclude that the second autopsy is correct and the first not.’

Contacted yesterday on the responses, Peters’ aunt, Kim Maytan, who commissioned the second autopsy, said relatives stand by the second autopsy and expressed full confidence in the capabilities and credentials of des Vignes.