DNA re-test on Woolmer's body

KINGSTON — DNA samples taken from the body of former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer will be re-tested, extending the inquest into his death into a fourth week.Woolmer, a former England batsman was found unconscious in his Jamaica hotel room on March 18, a day after his Pakistan team was humiliated by Ireland in the Cricket World Cup.
Woolmer was pronounced dead at the University of West Indies hospital but an autopsy called the death suspicious and then murder, which sparked an intense manhunt by Jamaican police until a review reversed the findings.Coroner Patrick Murphy has asked for more tests of samples from Woolmer's corpse, pushing the review beyond Friday's scheduled conclusion.The latest testimony focused upon what money Woolmer had and when and where he had obtained it. Money he had on March 12 was not his World Cup per diem.Michael Hall, director of cricket operations for the Cricket World Cup, testified that Pakistan was to receive an allocation of 23,920 dollars US on March 14."It is my recollection that the Pakistan team received their money on the 14th of March," Hall said.Patricia Baker-Sinclair had earlier testified that she saw Woolmer with what appeared to be a large roll of US currency talking to an Indian man in the Pakistan team's dressing room at Sabina Park.Attorney Jermaine Spence, representing the International Cricket Council, said a coach carrying such sums was not unusual, especially during long road trips when they are tasked with distributing player per diem payments.Murray Stevenson, the former fitness trainer of the Pakistan cricket team, testified that Woolmer told him he was planning retirement after the World Cup.Two empty champagne bottles were found in Woolmer's room when his body was discovered. They were confiscated and tested."He told me he had two bottles of champagne in his room at the hotel and that we would drink it on Wednesday (March 21) when the team played Zimbabwe, because it would be his last game in international cricket," Stevenson said.Stevenson was also questioned about his decision to relocate from room 375, opposite the hall from Woolmer's room 374. He said it was due to noise from a nearby entertainment centre.Stevenson moved two floors up to the 14th floor on March 17 but kept the key of the prior room.Hotel information systems manager Lorraine Taite testified that after Stevenson was relocated, his key card was used to enter his former room but she could not say who had done so, nor if another guest was given that room.Stevenson was among 22 members of the Pakistani team interrogated by the police. He was also fingerprinted and DNA samples were taken from him. Neither matched items from Woolmer's hotel room.