Coroner adjourns inquest until Wednesday
Government pathologist Dr. Shravana Jyoti told a coroner’s jury on Friday that he saw no defensive injuries when he examined the body of Raphael Anthony Williams, the police officer who was found hanged in East End on Jan. 12.
The jury has already heard that Mr. Williams was arrested for bribery and breach of trust on Jan. 9, bailed on the evening of Jan. 10, and seen purchasing a length of rope on Jan. 11.
Dr. Jyoti said he attended the scene off Colliers Wilderness Road, where he saw the body hanging from the branch of a tree and suspended from a height of approximately 20 to 25 feet. He declared Mr. Williams deceased at 4:15 p.m. but said death could have occurred between eight and 26 hours earlier.
At the scene, the doctor noted no injuries related to violence, trauma or self-defense. During the autopsy performed on Jan. 15, he found no evidence of cranial or skull injuries that are seen in blunt trauma. There were no fractures or external traumatic injuries.
The cause of death appeared to be asphyxia by hanging, Dr. Jyoti concluded. In response to questions after his formal report, he said he found a mild skin abrasion that could be related to climbing a tree. He also saw some bark on Mr. Williams’s pants, but he did not examine it in detail.
When court resumed Monday, Queen’s Coroner Eileen Nervik read several witness statements to the jury. She adjourned the inquest until Wednesday.
Related Videos
