By Saio Marrah
An autopsy report presented to a magistrate in Freetown has confirmed that Gilles Edward Ola Johnson, a former teacher of Providence International High School was murdered when his throat and both his left and right jugular arteries and veins were cut. The five-page report was tendered and read out by the Chief Medical Officer and pathologist, Simeon Owizz Koroma before magistrate Mark Ngegba on Friday 21st July 2023.
Dr. Koroma told the court that there were bruises and intensive swelling on the neck musculature and that “there was extensive bleeding into the neck muscle and surrounding tissues.” He added that there were four pens firmly inserted into the right glands of the 68-year old. The pathologist said the history indicates that the deceased died suddenly following “brutal, horrific and fatal wounds he received to his neck on the 11th March, this year”.
Dr. Koroma said there were no pre-existing disease conditions to have caused him to collapse or accelerate his death on the day of the incident. He said: “the text of the autopsy report documents the observed pathological findings in my professional and expert opinion, and the cause of death being unnatural and the manner/mode evidently homicidal, bearing the hallmarks of a horrific, frenzied and brutal attack executed with incredible intensity”. According to him the deceased died from “acute hemorrhagic shock due to profuse and torrential bleeding”.
During cross examination lawyer Teddy Koroma suggested to the pathologist that based on his findings it could be that the late teacher was murdered by a group of men to which Dr. Koroma replied, “not necessarily”.
The Pathologist also told the court that only the relative of the deceased and the investigating officer were supposed to be present when the examination was being conducted.
The preliminary investigation continues on 27th July when the defence is expected to make a no case submission.
The body of Mr. Johnson was found in a pool of blood inside his 54 Victoria Street, Freetown residence on the 11th March, 2023.His killing shocked the nation.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (24/07/23)
