'Are You Saying It's a Murder?'

Wed, Mar 21, '07

 

from MICHELLE McDONALD in Jamaica

The lobby of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, was a hive of activity tonight, after a hurriedly called press conference announced new developments in the investigations into Bob Woolmer's death.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields' announcement that Bob Woolmer's death was now being treated as "suspicious", after an earlier press conference said the pathologist's report was "inconclusive", has put this Cricket World Cup 2007 into a tailspin.

A puzzling factor is that DCP Shields confirmed that "we still do not have any further information in relation to the toxicology report." The toxicology report was ordered by the pathologist, along with a histology report, to conclude findings of the post-mortem. The question on journalists' lips therefore was why call a press conference at this time? Why not wait for the pathologist's report?

Talking to journalists in the hotel's Port Antonio Suite, Shields said they felt it was appropriate to inform the media, after relaying this new development to Woolmer's wife and children, who remain in South Africa. "We've had an opportunity to speak with the rest of our colleagues in relation to the death and therefore, having reviewed it, thought it was appropriate to let them [the family] know that investigations are moving on," Shields said.

It was announced that only two questions would be taken. One was "are you saying that it is murder?" Shield's response was "I am not saying that," and added that since the Police still do not have an official final report from the pathologist, "it would not be right to say anything else at this time."

The Police's intentional approach has been to keep the media informed to avoid speculation, but there are now more questions than answers.

Tomorrow's scheduled game between Pakistan and Zimbabwe may not go ahead, according to Pakistan's Media Manager P J Mir, who spoke to a crowd of reporters in the lobby after the brief press conference had ended.

Cricket World Cup 2007 Managing Director & CEO Chris Dehring could not confirm whether the match would in fact be played. He, along with CWC 2007 Cricket Operations Director Michael Hall, and ICC Communications Officer James Fitzgerald were in hushed discussions, while Senior Legal Counsel Derek Jones was outside the hotel on the telephone.

Two private security guards were stationed by the lobby's elevators, and the General Manager and Hotel Manager were having discussions with officials.

Meanwhile, although it was reported by CaribbeanCricket.com that West Indies players had been advised to stay in their rooms with their doors shut, at least one player was seen in the lobby watching the replay of the New Zealand – Kenya match.