The original article can be found in: Jamaica Gleaner By Nedburn Thaffe
The dentist who was accused of withholding the dental record analysis conducted on the burnt remains believed to be of Trinidadian teacher Michelle Coudray-Greaves until $1.8 million was paid over to him is claiming that he was misunderstood.
Christopher Ogunsalu told The Gleaner last week that the money requested was not for personal benefit, but was needed to get the opinion of another dentist with expertise in forensic odontology.
Ogunsalu charged that his approach was based on international standards and it was his understanding that there was no other dentist on the island who was skilled in that area, therefore the expert opinion would have had to come from abroad.
Ogunsalu claimed that this was discussed with the police when he first took up the job.
“The police force knew why it was necessary to peer review and why that money was needed. There was discussion with the police that somebody had to pay. They knew from July of last year,” he said.Ogunsalu’s comments came days after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn called on the police to conduct background investigations on him because of the negative impact his action was having on the case.
Ogunsalu said that after discussion with the DPP, he was made to understand that a peer review was not necessary, and so he was now willing to release the report which, he told The Gleaner, confirms that the remains are actually those of Coudray-Greaves.
no cost to gov’t
“After meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions and her deputy yesterday (last week Tuesday), I am happy to announce to the world at large that I am willing to submit my findings at no cost to the State.
“This is because it is obvious that the State does not have the ability to accommodate such expense despite spending three months on this case in terms of analysing the findings – in terms of the sex, the race, the age, and the individuality of the burnt remains – in coming to the conclusion that it is that of Michelle Coudray.”
The dentist denied reports which suggested that he had been off the island since the Coudray-Greaves case was called up in court, arguing that he had never been away for more than two days. He said no request was ever made of him to go before the courts.
The report was needed by the prosecution to complete its case file so that the trial of 45-year-old taxi operator Ivan Taylor, who is charged with the death of Coudray-Greaves, can commence. The deceased woman is the daughter of Trinidad and Tobago Gender Minister Marlene Coudray.
The body of Coudray-Greaves was found burnt in a cane field on the outskirts of Montego Bay on June 11 last year.
