From Andrew Drummond, Bangkok, January 16th
An autopsy carried out in Canada on the body of John Leo Del Pinto, who was gunned down by a policeman in Pai earlier this month has revealed both shots would have been fatal.
The Medical Examiner’s office in Calgary, Aberta, has completed a report which says he was killed instantly by the bullet to his head. But the second shot pierced both his liver and kidney and would also have been fatal.
Ross Fortune, a spokesman for the Del Pinto family, said last night that personal belongings which Del Pinto was carrying at the time of the death had not been returned.
“This was heartbreaking news for a family, who are already struggling to cope with the loss of their only son.”
The full autopsy report is expected to be ready in three days.
A memorial service is to be held in Calgary today.
Meanwhile Canadian Secretary of State, Helena Guergis, has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing Canada’s concern and asking to be kept up to date with the investigation into the shootings of Del Pinto and his companion Carly Reisig, 24, from Chilliwack, British Columbia as the country was concerned for the safety of its citizens in Thailand
He was such a nice guy , what a waste !!!
Mr. Drummond,
Would you please cite the source for your autopsy comments. My understanding is that the ME’s office has not stated that the bullet wound to the “cheek” was fatal as you report it.
Is it possible you are relying on a local Calgary news article that was improperly written?
Yes of course. The informationm came from a briefing given to the family by the Calgary Medical Practitioner and passed on to me in a statement by the family’s spokesman Ross Fortune. See below
I do not re-write Canadian newspapers but will quote what they are saying or what witnesses have said to them.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2007
The autopsy on Leo Del Pinto has been completed by the Calgary Medical Examiner’s office. The family expects to receive a copy of the report within the next few days at which time more details regarding the report may be released to the media. However, it was confirmed that Leo Del Pinto was in fact killed instantly by the bullet wound to his face. This was the first shot fired by the Thai police officer and again, it instantly killed Leo Del Pinto. Leo was then shot a second time in the torso, and although he was already dead the second bullet pierced both his liver and kidney and would have also been a fatal wound.