There has so far not been an announcement of a deep investigation and possible legal proceedings instituted against health authorities but already there is indication of dramatic development following the recent, controversial death of 58-year old Pole Yard resident Arnotte Hope.
Indication of a developing drama came during an interview with lawyer Israel Bruce on Wednesday amid concerns over Hope’s death.
Bruce, who has been speaking on behalf of Pope’s family, said there were certain recent developments and depending on how those “developments” evolved there would be action taken. He was firm that if there is any need for action to be taken then action will be taken. He was, however, not specific about the nature of the developments and what action would possibly be taken.
Asked for confirmation that Hope was stitched up after the surgery with the instrument still inside him, as alleged, Bruce said he was “not going to be engaged in confirming or not confirming” that allegation.
Bruce said that according to an autopsy report, Hope is said to have died of hypovolemia, resulting from the gunshots.
Bruce said he was waiting on report from medical authorities to see whether anything about the forceps would be mentioned.
Asked if a complaint was made about the forceps, Bruce replied: “I don’t know of a complaint but I know of imagery.” He noted that there was imagery of an instrument published in the media and alleged to be that left inside Hope following the surgery. He, however, said while there was imagery published they were not seen attached to Hope.
Last week, there were published images of a pair of forceps in a transparent bag and what appeared to be an x-ray image of an instrument inside a human body.
Bruce reiterated Wednesday that he was awaiting a formal report from the authorities.
Hope was shot in the groin in his yard on Friday 27th December, 2019. Following surgery, he remained at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital until he died on Sunday 29th December.
In an interview last week, Bruce stated: “The circumstances of the death is being looked at. And, once we get past the stage of dealing with the body… and the family has resolved the issue of laying the remains to rest, if there are other matters to be addressed we will address them in a timely fashion.”