242 / 494
241
seen by Mr. Walker lying on Chang Avenue were found to have had
lacerated wounds, which are consistent with having being hit by
shrapnel:
(ii)
If mortars had exploded in an open field as claimed by
the JDF, it is unlikely that houses would have shaken, as related by at
least 3 witnesses:
(iii)
The fires on Chang Avenue can only reasonably
be explained on the basis of an exploding mortar landing in that area.
CDS Saunders said that mortars could cause fire and, if the mortar
landed on a building, it could cause it to burn. In addition, in Capt.
Crooks’ letter dated 23 August 2012 it is stated “the types of
incendiary devices used were mortars”(see para.10.106):
(iv) Evidence
of an anonymous witness was to the effect that she saw white smoke
sometime after mid-day “and the whole place was white”.
(v)
Romaine
Walker testified that he saw a bomb fall on Michael Williams’ house
and dirt rising from the yard. The expert evidence of Maj. Cobb-Smith,
referred to later, seems to support the evidence of residents who
testified. For example, Shana James, Joan Haughton-Allison, Annette
Marshall, Lelieth James, Marjorie Hinds and Romaine Walker. The
deaths of the 2 persons in this area require further investigation with a
view to awarding compensation to their respective estates.
Adverse Comments re: CDS Stewart Saunders and Maj. Warrenton Dixon
9.81.
On 13 April 2016, the Commission referred certain paragraphs in its
draft Report to CDS Stewart Saunders and Maj. Warrenton Dixon as “Proposed
Adverse Findings” for their responses thereto in accordance with the provisions
of 2013 amendments to the Commissions of Enquiry Act. On 5 May 2016 the
Commission received their joint responses, through Counsel, appended hereto as
Appendix AC3. We summarise the several responses and give our comments
and findings
seriatim
below and in paras.10.184 to 10.218.