Family Barred From Participation At New Brunswick Inquest
The Inquest into the death of Glen Wareham began today in Moncton, New Brunswick, with Mr. Wareham’s family being denied standing to participate. New Brunswick is the only jurisdiction in Canada in which coroners cannot grant standing at an inquest to parties with a direct and substantial interest in the proceedings, including the families of the deceased. Falconers LLP represents Heather Locke, the mother of Mr. Wareham. Ms. Locke has argued that barring the family from examining witnesses and making submissions at the inquest is unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of natural justice. Lawyer Meaghan Daniel is attending the Inquest in Moncton.
The Inquest will examine Mr. Wareham’s tragic and untimely death in 2010, at age 28, after seven years in federal custody. While in prison, he completed hundreds of documented acts of self-harm, which required more than 90 abdominal surgeries to repair. The coroner’s jury is expected to hear evidence regarding the circumstances of Mr. Wareham’s death, including the care and treatment he received from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers concluded in 2011 that Mr. Wareham’s death was “preventable” and noted that “documented failures” by CSC raise themes and concerns similar to the death of Ashley Smith, who had died two years before Mr. Wareham.
The Inquest is being held between October 17 and October 28, 2016, at Crandall University.
Related Documents
Request for Standing on Behalf of Heather Locke October 14, 2016
Issued Notice of Action and Statement of Claim April 20, 2012
Letter From Howard Sapers to Don Head January 20, 2011
In The News
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Inquest law from 1900 needs update, says Falconers LLP Lawyer Meaghan Daniel who represents Inmates Mother CBC, October 17, 2016
Inquest into inmate Glen Edward Wareham’s death begins Monday CBC, October 17, 2016
Family of dead inmate suing Corrections Canada for $10 million Globalnews, July 4, 2013