Neurologist says shooting victim was recovering remarkably before death

Two pieces of metal were removed from Oneill Chase’s head during an emergency surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) the evening he was shot.

One was lodged in his brain and the other to the left side of the back of the skull, said Consultant Neurologist at the QEH, Dr John Gill who operated on Chase on August 8, 2019.

The doctor gave testimony as the murder trial of Raheem Travonte Barnett of Regency Park, Christ Church, continued in the No. 4 Supreme Court before a 12-member jury. Barnett is accused of murdering Chase who died two months after being shot.

The witness said that after Chase arrived at the hospital, he had to be intubated and placed on a ventilator to assist him in breathing as he was comatose. A scan of his head revealed a blood clot in the brain and a metallic foreign body, and surgery was conducted to evacuate the clot and remove the object. Dr Gill said that object and the other metal piece were handed over to police.

Chase was then admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where he stayed for almost two weeks. He said that during that time and afterwards, the shooting victim made gradual improvements, eventually being able to move the left side of his body and his right leg. However, his right arm remained paralysed. The doctor stated that the patient was also able to speak even though he had difficulty naming objects and, at times, understanding persons. However, by the time Chase was discharged from the QEH on September 7, 2019, he was able to walk a few steps with assistance.

The doctor was questioned about the seizures that Chase experienced after leaving the hospital.

“This patient had a severe traumatic brain injury, and seizures are one of the leading complications of this injury,” he replied.

Noting Chase’s death on October 5, 2019, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale, SC, who is prosecuting the matter along with State Counsel Paul Prescod, asked the neurologist whether his death could be attributed to the brain injury.

“It is possible,” Dr Gill answered.

Under cross-examination by Senior Counsel Michael Lashley, Gill described Chase’s recovery as “remarkable”.

“If you think of a man who came in and was comatose, who probably would have died without intervention, I think that that is a remarkable recovery,” he said.