“They put him in the van, cuffed and later shackled stomach down with his head toward the front. But on the ME report the claim is that injuries matched a bolt in the rear of the van.”
You don’t thing that the phrase “back of the van” was used in this context as being in the rear comportment of the van as opposed to the front where the driver sits? Also, is there only single such bolt in the back of the van?
It’s possible they didn’t clarify specifically. In the “back of the van” seems like the back. “in the van” or “in the back” would indicate merely in the van.
But, this will come out in the trial.
However, the bigger problems is that the other arrested person, claims it was a smooth ride. So, the second degree murder charge seems far fetched to me.