WHEN the trial into the murder of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul continued on Wednesday, Government Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh testified to performing the post-mortem on the former Queen’s College student.Gopaul’s mutilated body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway on October 4, 2010. Her mother, Bibi Sharima Gopaul, and her paramour, Jarvis Small, called “Barry,” are being tried for the teen’s murder.
According to Dr. Singh, the left side of the bone at the back of the head was bleeding; there was a small laceration on the left ear and there was also bleeding on the right side. Further, there was bleeding under the scalp at the back of the head and the right side of the ribs, lungs and chest cavity had collapsed.
After pointing out that her hymen had been ruptured at 10:00hrs, the doctor said that meant that she had been sexually active at the time.
The deceased, the doctor pointed out, had been injured by a blunt instrument as well as by a sharp one.
The doctor said that from his examination, he would say it had to be more than 36 to 48 hours when the body became placid.
According to the doctor, specimens were taken on his instructions and given to Supt. Greaves for analyst examination.
In his cross-examination, defence counsel, Mr. Glen Hanoman for the number one accused asked the doctor: “Do you agree because of decomposition of body you experienced difficulty in identifying the body? “Yes sir.”
Doctor, you assume that part of the head was exposed as a result of trauma? “I assume.”
Questioned as to what time death had occurred, the doctor said, “At the time of my examination, it is my opinion that the person had died for more than two days.
The hearing is continuing before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury.