Renewed plea over DNA results of Chester-le-Street couple's tragedy son (From The Northern Echo)
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Renewed plea over DNA results of couple's tragedy son Christopher Rochester
8:00am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Chester-le-Street News
ANGUISH: Christopher Rochester's mum, Pam Cummings, and stepfather, George, are still not satisfied about how the Greek government is stalling over the DNA results of their son, Christopher, who died in 2000
A DISTRAUGHT North-East family have accused Greek authorities of being prepared to wait “until hell freezes over” before divulging the results of a DNA test they believe will prove their dead son’s kidney was illegally removed.
The body of Christopher Rochester, from Chester-le- Street, County Durham, was exhumed last June at the Greeks’ insistence to obtain new DNA samples.
The Greeks paid for the test against another kidney, purportedly Christopher’s, that was returned after his body was flown home, minus the organ.
A DNA test at Newcastle’s International Centre for Life proved the organ was someone else’s but the Greeks refuse to accept the result.
Although the Belgian test has been done, the Greeks have still not revealed the result.
Christopher’s parents Pam, 54, and George, 52, Cummings believe the kidney was removed after 24-year-old Christopher died in hospital in Rhodes in 2000 to cover up the fact that he died of medical neglect Now, efforts are being stepped up to get the Greeks to say what the Belgian test revealed.
North Durham MP Kevan Jones has written to the financially-troubled country’s ambassador in London and Detective Superintendent Ken Donnelly is asking, through a Belgian court, for the outcome to be shared with the family.
Durham Police, although not officially investigating, have provided informal help to the family and yesterday provided a glimmer of hope by revealing they might even pay for another DNA test.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mrs Cummings said: “What we want is for the Greeks to prosecute the doctors who removed the kidney. We can’t get the results because we didn’t commission the DNA test, the Greek authorities did.”
Mrs Cummings said the exhumation had been “traumatic” for the family but their agony was being prolonged by the Greeks stalling again and not giving them the result.
“It is terrible to live with it day in, day out. It has ruined us emotionally and financially.
We really want it over.’’ Mr Cummings added: “The Greeks have said that as long as the case does not go static they will keep it open.
“That’s why we are doing this because the Greeks will sit on this until hell freezes over. All we are asking for is the results of the DNA test.’’ Det Supt Donnelly said: “If the appeal to the Belgian authorities does not succeed, there is the possibility the force would consider meeting the cost of sending these to a separate laboratory to be tested.”
Christopher died after a balcony fall and three hospital doctors were later convicted of manslaughter by neglect but cleared on appeal.
Subsequently one was convicted after a re-trial was ordered.
