Second autopsy rules Julian Cho’s death an accident
A second opinion about the cause of the death of Mayan leader Julian Cho has been submitted by an independent forensic pathologist. Dr. Robert Bux, a member of Physicians for Human Rights, conducted a second autopsy on Cho’s body which was exhumed yesterday in Punta Gorda and his findings concur with those of Police Pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran who did the original postmortem. He agrees with the conclusion that the death was accidental. Dr. Bux spoke with News Five today and explained what his investigation entailed and the assistance he received from Belizean authorities.
Dr. Robert Bux, Forensic Pathologist
“I did the exhumation and the second autopsy of Mr. Cho. In addition to that I went to the residence where the body was found. I had looked at the photographs provided by the Commissioner of Police and the national security people as well as photographs of the autopsy, the autopsy report; it goes on and on what they gave me. But the essential thing is that the injuries that were documented as present by Dr. Estradabran were exactly the same injures I found and to me more importantly were that facts that there were no other injuries; there were no other bruises; there were no other scrapes; there were no other lacerations or cuts; there were no other wounds on that body. The wounds that were described were exactly the same ones that I found. Having visited the scene and also with everything I know I think the whole scenario is most consistent with an accidental fall either from the roof or one of the landings from the stairway at the residence.”
Literally for me there was a forty-eight hour interval that it had to be done, or they would have to find somebody else, which they could have done. But once they found out I was available at that time, it was amazing the facility with which the National Security people, local police and health commissioners all were able to put the exhumation together in a very short order and they accomplished it with absolutely no problems. In fact, as I was telling you earlier, this is the best exhumation that I have ever attended, the best organized, it went off without flaw, it went off on time. I felt that we had full cooperation from everybody and that’s not been my experience everywhere all the time.”
When asked why Julian Cho’s body had been found with the arms and legs lying straight out, rather than in a sprawled position, Dr. Bux commented that sometimes when there is a head injury the brain has a seizure which would cause the limbs to move into this position. He also said the small amount of blood coming from the head wounds and the fact that the brain had only swelled a little also indicate that Cho died fairly quickly. Dr. Bux works with the local government of San Antonio, Texas. As a member of Physicians for Human Rights he has performed autopsy in a number of countries, including Bosnia. P.H.R., founded in 1986, is an organization of health professions, scientists and citizens who use medical and forensic science to investigate and prevent violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Julian Cho’s widow Maggie, told News Five that while she does not question Dr. Bux’s credentials, as far as the family is concerned his statements that the death was an accident still do not lead them to rule out foul play. Maggie Cho says that if her husband fell because he was pushed or was unable to escape someone pursuing him, she believes proof of this will come to light in due course. Mrs. Cho has alleged that her husband received death threats from workers who lost their jobs when the Malaysian Logging Concession was suspended. Julian Cho had been a vocal opponent of the logging operation.
