By Nalinee Seelal Friday, January 4 2013

Two pathologists are to jointly examine the brain of Lance Corporal Curtis Marshall today as they seek to determine how the soldier died.

This would be the third examination of Marshall body who was found unconscious at Defence Force headquarters, Chaguaramas last Saturday night and was later declared dead at hospital.

As a result, Marshall’s military funeral set for today has been postponed and will take place when a final report is filed by the pathologists.

Government Forensic pathologist Dr Eastlyn McDonald Burris and professor of pathology, Dr Hubert Daisley, who conducted separated autopsies earlier this week, will take a closer look at the brain at the Forensic Science Centre, St James.

The pathologists have both determined Marshall was strangled based on their autopsies. Mc Donald-Burris made the conclusion first at the Forensic Science Centre, on Monday, which Daisley confirmed in a second examination carried out on the instruction of Marshall’s family at Simpson’s funeral home, Laventille on New Year’s Day.

However, Daisley also found what appeared to be injuries to the head of Marshall as well as blunt force trauma on the lower neck.

After consulting with them, members of the Marshall family requested further tests to determine if Marshall was beaten on his head and lower neck.

On Wednesday, Daisley visited Defence Force Headquarters and made sketches after viewing the area where Marshall’s body was found.

He also spoke with Defence Force Commandant Major Colin Millington and was shown video footage of the last moments of Marshall’s life.

“I still have to go back to the body, there are some things I still have to do and then I will complete my report, so the body could be released to the bereaved family for burial,” Daisley said yesterday.

Police have interviewed 21 out of 25 soldiers who were on duty at Defence Force Headquarters on the night Marshall died. The last four soldiers are to be questioned today.

Camera footage shows Marshall taking unsteady steps before collapsing near the guns container he was guarding. The soldier who found Marshall on the ground is receiving counselling from welfare officers of the Defence Force.

Footage of Marshall’s last moments and other surveillance images are being examined by the police Cyber Crime Unit.

Marshall who worked in the finance department at Defence Force was also required to perform night duties on weekends. Police sources revealed he may have discovered discrepancies which may have led to his death.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson yesterday said the police were committed to finding Marshall’s killer and had spoken to Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj yesterday morning.

“I express my deepest condolences on behalf of the TT police service to the Marshall family and to all members of the Defence Force on the untimely passing of Lance Corporal Curtis Marshall,” Richardson said during a press briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.