Study: Nicole was severely intoxicated

The cognitive and physical senses of the 22-year-old Filipino complainant in the Subic rape case were severely "impaired" at the time she was allegedly raped, which may have left her "incapable of sensing or fighting off danger." A team of seven toxicologists who examined the complainant found that her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at the highest level of a scientific scale used in the study. "Nicole's BAC peaked between 11 p.m. of November 1 to 12:30 a.m. of November 2, around which time she was seen by Neptune [Club] security guard Gerald Muyot being taken out of the bar unconscious by accused Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, and around which time the alleged rape occurred," said a post on the Nicole Information Bureau, a blog site maintained by the complainant's supporters. Using a table formulated by Indiana University professor Vijay Ramchandani, the toxicologists said a BAC of between 200 and 300 was already "severely intoxicated [with] very little control of mind or body." A BAC of between 400 and 500, however, may render the drinker "unconscious, [in a] deep coma, and [at risk of] death from respiratory depression." In conclusion, the toxicologists found that "Based on the reported presenting manifestations of the complainant on November 1 and November 2, 2005 and the calculated blood alcohol concentrations, 'Nicole' was intoxicated and her cognitive and physical faculties were impaired." The Nicole Information Bureau said the study, finalized on July 18-21 this year, showed that there was a "positive correlation between her BAC levels and her behavioral manifestations as reported by witnesses." (view the PDF report) The study report was prepared mostly by professors from the University of the Philippines (UP)-College of Medicine, namely Carissa Paz Dioquino, Allan Dionisio, Irma Makalinao, Nelia Cortes-Maramba, Lynn Crisanta Panganiban and Joselito Pascual. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, executive director of the Zuellig Foundation, also assisted in the study. He is a former pharmacology and toxicology professor the UP College of Medicine. The blog entry cited security guard Tomas Corpuz as saying he saw the complainant walking aimlessly in the bar at 11:15 p.m. of November 1. After the alleged victim was found at Alava Pier at 12:15 a.m. of November 2, Subic Bay Freeport bike patrolman Noel Paule reported seeing her crying and "parang lantang gulay (like a wilted vegetable)." During court hearings on the case, the complainant said she drank Vodka Sprite, B-52, B-53, Singaporean sling, Long Island Iced Tea, and Bullfrog. Analysis by the toxicologists showed her BAC levels peaked at 444.9 mg/ dL at 11 p.m., and eventually went "down" to 344.9 mg/dL at 3 a.m. of November 2. -GMANews.TV