Coroner’s inquest into death of Brydon Whitstone begins Monday

The inquest will determine the manner of death and the cause of death. An independent jury will sit and make recommendations.

In September, Drew Wilby, a spokesperson with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice, said the Regina Police Service (RPS) and an independent observer completed an independent investigation into the case.

Wilby said RPS, in consultation with Public Prosecutions, determined no criminal charges were to be laid as a result. He said the investigation team met with Whitstone’s family to convey the results of the investigation.

There will be no criminal charges laid in the case.

“Why did he shoot him twice? Why did he even shoot him?” Whitstone’s mother Dorothy Laboucane said when asked about the inquest.

Whitstone’s brother Daniel Lewis said he wants video of the death shot by bystanders to be shown at the inquest.

Lewis said shortly after the shooting several videos were put on Facebook, but have since been taken down. Whitstone’s last breaths could be heard on one of the videos, Lewis said.

“I hear his voice every night,” Lewis said. “Watching him die on video. Those were his last words alive.”

The Saskatchewan RCMP have said they will be unable to answer questions or provide comment on any evidence or testimony while the inquest is sitting.

“It is essential that we protect the integrity of that process and allow it to proceed without influence or bias,” a spokesperson for the RCMP said.

“The RCMP welcomes the coroner’s inquest as it is a fact-finding process that will allow for full disclosure of the facts as they pertain to this case. Our ultimate goal is to ensure public and officer safety, and processes such as this can assist us in attaining that goal and making us a better provincial police service.”

— With files from the Canadian Press

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr

by Tyler Marr

Coroner’s inquest into death of Brydon Whitstone begins Monday

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