By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A DOCTOR testified yesterday about the serious injuries suffered by an elderly woman and man who were set on fire at their Gibbs Corner home in 2023, allegedly by a relative following an argument over dogs.
Dr Joseph, an emergency physician, gave evidence in the attempted murder trial of Ricardo Richardson before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns.
Richardson is accused of setting fire to his grandmother, Magnolia Moxey, then 74, and his uncle, Emile Humes, following an argument on November 27, 2023.
Dr Joseph said Mr Humes and Moxey were treated at Princess Margaret Hospital on the day of the incident.
The doctor said Mr Humes told medical staff that gasoline had been thrown on him.
Mr Humes suffered burns to his body, singed nasal hairs and shortness of breath. His airways and lungs were compromised, and he experienced severe, generalised pain.
Dr Joseph said Mr Humes was in critical condition and his life was at risk. A breathing tube had to be inserted.
The doctor said the hospital form was completed on November 30, 2023, explaining that it had taken several days because caring for the patient took priority.
Mr Humes was admitted to the intensive care unit and required plastic surgery.
Dr Joseph told the prosecution that it was extremely serious for a patient to remain in intensive care for five to six weeks.
Mr Humes was placed in a medically induced coma so he would not feel the pain, the court heard.
Dr Joseph said Moxey told authorities that she had been doused with gasoline and set on fire. She also complained of pain.
Her injuries were described as serious, and she was said to be in serious condition.
Moxey had singed nasal hairs and fluid-filled blisters, known as blebs, on her arms. The blebs indicated that she had suffered at least second-degree burns.
Dr Joseph said Moxey received pain medication, plastic surgery and burn treatment. Medical staff had to cut the blebs and dress her wounds.
The doctor told defence attorney Walton Bain that the detailed medical notes for Mr Humes were not available in court. Those records would have shown precisely where he had been burned.
When asked by the defence whether Mr Humes’ injuries could have been self-inflicted, Dr Joseph said he was not a mental health patient. The doctor said any indication that he was suicidal would have been recorded on his medical forms.
Dr Joseph said Moxey’s injuries were not as severe as those suffered by Mr Humes.
The doctor also said Mr Humes would have been able to speak to police on the first day he was admitted to hospital.
During questioning, Dr Joseph said that if a person who was on fire fell on another person’s chest, the second person would be expected to suffer burns to the upper part of the body where contact occurred.
The doctor also said that burns to a person’s legs could indicate that a flammable substance had also come into contact with them.
The court previously heard that gasoline was splashed on Moxey and that Mr Humes fell on her. It was also said that Moxey was the only one who suffered burns to her legs, while Mr Humes’ legs were not burned.
Cephia Pinder-Moss and Khaula Reid appeared for the prosecution.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.