Inquest scheduled into death of Jamie Wilford Shanoss

July 11, 2018

VICTORIA – The BC Coroners Service has scheduled a public inquest into the death of Jamie Wilford Shanoss.

The inquest will begin Sept. 17, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., at the law courts in Prince George at 250 George St.

Shanoss was 51 years of age when he died while in police custody on Nov. 21, 2016, in RCMP jail cells in Prince George. Under the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for any deaths that occur in the custody of a peace officer.

This inquest has been called to review the circumstances of Shanoss’s death, and to explore whether there are opportunities for a jury to make recommendations that may prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

Presiding coroner Donita Kuzma, and a jury, will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding this death. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances. A jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility, or express any conclusion of law.

An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death. For more information on inquests, please visit: http://ow.ly/8WRx30gbxTr.

The BC Coroners Service looks to gather the facts surrounding why a death took place, and is not a fault-finding agency. It provides an independent service to the family, community, government agencies and other organizations.

Contact:

Andy Watson
Manager, Strategic Communications
BC Coroners Service
http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/
250 356-9253

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

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