The pathologist, who performed Aaron Rolle’s autopsy, yesterday revealed that the 20-year-old had several injuries at the time of his death.

Rolle was found dead at the Southern Police Station on February 9.

His death certificate states that he died of a ruptured intestine and haemorrhaging.

During the Coroner Inquest into his death Monday, Dr. Caryn Sands said Rolle’s small intestine, which is located below the rib cage and above the pelvis, was perforated.

She said the rupture was approximately the diameter of a pen.

At this point, one of Rolle’s aunts – too overcome with emotion at the gory details – left the court in tears.

Continuing her testimony, Dr. Sands said as she examined the intestine, she noticed that yellowish/greenish pus had formed around the bowel.

She said this was due to the two litres of fluid that came out of his bowels, which are filled with bacteria.

The pathologist said there were visible injuries to Rolle’s skin on his stomach.

Dr. Sands said there was also haemorrhaging to small blood vessels around Rolle’s kidneys.

Rolle also received injuries at the area around his pancreas and around his thighs.

In addition, the witness testified that Rolle’s left ninth and 10th ribs were fractured.

Dr. Sands stressed that his injuries were due to blunt force trauma and that no natural illness could cause his injuries.

When questioned by Christina Galanos, who represents the Rolle family, Dr. Sands said Rolle’s ruptured intestine was a medical emergency and that he would have experienced abdominal pain.

She said he required surgery and if he had not received medical attention, his life expectancy would have been about a day.

Also taking the stand was Inspector Deborah Thompson.

She testified that she prepared the summary report when she received the initial investigation from Detective Sergeant 237 Donnel Brown of the Central Detective Unit (CDU).

Inspector Thompson, who is also attached at CDU, admitted that she did not take note of Rolle’s detention records that indicated that he got into scuffle with police officers when he tried to escape the Southern Police Station on February 8.

Constables 2648 Carl Smith and 2126 Akiel Smith are on administrative leave in connection with Rolle’s custody death.

They have admitted that the beat Rolle with a wooden baton to prevent him from escaping.

When questioned by the officers’ attorney Lennox Coleby, Inspector Thompson said it is not against the law for an officer to use force to subdue a suspect and if she had taken note of that on the detention record, it would not cause alarm.

The case continues Wednesday before Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech Gomez.