Woolmer: 10-man team in probe

[DesiChap]

21/03/2007 18:08 - (SA) Kingston - A police investigation, which among others, includes a 10-man forensics team, is underway into the death of the former Pakistan coach, Bob Woolmer. He was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday, barely 24 hours after Ireland eliminated his team from the Cricket World Cup. Jamaica's deputy police commissioner, Mark Shields, earlier said the death was being treated as suspicious. A 10-man forensics team was working in the 12th-floor room of the Jamaica hotel where Woolmer died, though authorities have said nothing points to homicide. A former Pakistani player speculated about a murder plot and a Pakistan team official said there was blood and vomit in the room and Woolmer was found by hotel staff on the floor with his mouth wide open. Woolmer was pronounced dead on Sunday after being transferred to hospital. Shields said: "There is no evidence it's a homicide but we're waiting for further information from the pathologist before make any more statements." At a late-night news conference at the team's hotel in Kingston on Tuesday, Shield said reports from a pathologist and other medical experts gave police "sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the death of Woolmer. Post-mortem had been inconclusive "We have already informed the Woolmer family of this development and we are also in close contact with the Pakistan team management, the Cricket World Cup and ICC to ensure all parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation." Shields had earlier announced that the findings of a post-mortem had been inconclusive. Asked directly if Jamaica police were pursuing a murder investigation, Shield said: "No, we are not saying that." The news conference in Jamaica was called after reports emerged in Pakistan's print and electronic media of a murder plot. Meanwhile captain Inzaman-ul-Haq, playing in his final one-day international, said before the start of their Group D match against Zimbabwe that they wanted to go out on a win to honour Woolmer's memory. Inzaman said: "We'll do our best for Bob, but whatever we do, it won't be enough. He was a good man. "He was a very good coach and human being. Because of this, he had a lot of respect from the team. He was brave and knew how to handle the situation when everybody was feeling down. He will be well remembered." News24/AP

[yoda]

Re: Woolmer: 10-man team in probe This has become a major distraction. Would be good if the police keep this investigation low profile and let the games proceed without too much distraction.