A POLICE doctor who examined the men accused of murdering Michaela Harte in Mauritius last January found no signs of injuries on their bodies, a court on the island heard yesterday.
Speaking at the preliminary inquiry assessing the evidence police have gathered against Avinash Treebhoowoon (31) and Sandip Mooneea (40), Dr Sudesh Kumar Gungadin said both accused were examined four days after Ms Harte’s death on January 10th.
Dr Gungadin also confirmed that no medical tests were carried out on the victim’s husband, John McAreavey.
He said “nail clippings from both hands, internal vaginal swabs, mouth swabs and swabs around the neck of Ms Harte were taken and sent to the forensic scientific laboratory for DNA identification”.
Sgt Mohammad Doonye, the last witness to give evidence in the inquiry at Mapou district court, said he had retrieved two swipe cards from room 1025, the scene of the crime, on January 10th and both were sent for analysis.
Neither of the cards retrieved from room 1025 were sent for DNA tests because a fake magnetic card, which police believe was connected to the crime, was later secured. It was sent for DNA testing.
After closing the inquiry, magistrate Sheila Bonomally said she would deliver her findings on Monday. She must decide if there is enough evidence to send the two accused forward for trial.
Mr Treebhoowoon and Mr Mooneea, employees at the Legends Hotel at the time of the incident, reiterated their innocence in relation to Ms Harte’s murder.
Mr Treebhoowoon said he was “coerced and tortured” by the police major crime investigation team to give a statement. Mr Mooneea said he was a “victim of false allegations” and “some people planned to make up this lie and trapped me in that murder case”.
Ms Harte and Mr McAreavey were on honeymoon when she was murdered at the hotel.