The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PATHOLOGIST Dr Caryn Sands testified yesterday that Aaron Rolle had multiple injuries at the time of his death, including two broken ribs, a ruptured intestine, haemorrhaging around the pancreas and left kidney, bleeding in the bowel and contusions on his lower back, shoulder blade and left clavicle – all caused by blunt force trauma.

She also said Rolle had bruises on the front of his thighs and an abrasion on his chest. However, Dr Sands said the abrasion on his torso most likely came from secondary CPR attempts and classified the bruise as “superficial”.

Rolle, 20, died at the Southern Police Station on February 8 hours after he was taken into custody for questioning in relation to armed robbery and escape allegations.

A pathologist report later concluded that he died from haemorrhaging and a ruptured intestine, caused by blunt force trauma to the chest.

Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez is overseeing the inquiry. Attorney Christina Galanos is representing Rolle’s immediate family and Wellington Olander is representing the police officers.

Dr Sands testified that Rolle died after two liters of fluid drained into his abdominal cavity from a hole in his intestine. She said the puncture was not recent and occurred prior to him dying. She also said Rolle had a yellow/green pus coating his liver, abdomen and bowel suggesting that he had the injuries for more than a few hours.

When asked how long a person with Rolle’s injuries could survive without the proper medical treatment, Dr Sands said in her estimation “about 24 hours”.

She also testified that Rolle’s left 9th and 10th ribs were fractured and despite the abrasion on his chest, his ribs were not broken during CPR.

Rolle also had contusions on his lower back, right shoulder blade, left clavicle and haemorrhaging on the front of both of this thighs.

Injuries consistent with multiple blows from a blunt object, however she could not say how many times.

Dr Sands said Rolle’s injuries would have been very painful and would have gotten progressively worse as they went untreated. Rolle also had no defensive wounds on his body.

Also testifying in Coroner’s court was Inspector Deborah Thompson. Insp Thompson was the officer assigned to prepare a summary of the facts, statements and reports on file.

She testified that she prepared the report and turned it over to the Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Superintendent Paul Rolle.

When asked by Ms Galanos, Mrs Thompson admitted she did not include in the report that “blunt force” was used on Rolle because she did not see it in the detention record.

She said she knew some force was used but did not know at what level because she did not have statements from Police Constable 2126 Akiel Smith or Police Constable 2648 Carl Smith.

However, she also testified that it is not uncommon to use force on a prisoner who is attempting to escape.

The inquest continues on Wednesday at 10am.