Relations of two males who died both in police custody or by the hands of the police are calling for coroner’s inquests to be held in a extra well timed method.
On Monday, the household of Nicholas Nembhard joined Nathaniel Schofield’s household in entrance of the Chief Coroner’s Workplace in Toronto.
They had been asking that the coroner instantly name an inquest into Nembhard’s loss of life and to hurry up the inquest course of in order that households haven’t got to attend years to know the reality about how their family members died.
Nembhard, 31, died after he was shot by a police officer in Kitchener on Feb. 19, whereas Schofield, 36, died on July 10 after going into medical misery whereas in custody at an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) facility in Rockwood.
Nembhard’s father — Cliff Eaton Nembhard — mentioned it was unacceptable to have to attend three years or extra for an inquest to be held.
“I do not know why it might take so lengthy,” he mentioned, including that the authorities ought to attempt to give households closure in a extra well timed method.
Nathaniel Schofield, left, died on July 10 after going into medical misery whereas in custody at an Ontario Provincial Police facility in Rockwood, whereas Nicholas Nembhard, proper, died after he was shot by a police officer in Kitchener on Feb. 19. (Submitted by Faye Dzikewich and Andre Nembhard)
In line with Nembhard, “it is so exhausting” not having the solutions he is searching for concerning his son’s loss of life.
“I want to know the reply.”
Ontario’s Particular Investigations Unit (SIU) mentioned officers had been referred to as to a Kitchener house for a disturbance shortly earlier than 9 p.m. on Feb. 19.
“Upon arriving on the scene, officers encountered a person holding an edged weapon,” the SIU mentioned in a information launch. “There was an interplay and one officer discharged his firearm. The person was struck.”
Nembhard was taken to hospital the place he was pronounced lifeless.
Nembhard’s father — Cliff Eaton Nembhard — mentioned it was unacceptable to have to attend three years or extra for an inquest to be held. (CBC)
After looking on the proof, SIU Director Joseph Martino mentioned in a June 21 report that it was decided there aren’t any affordable grounds to consider the officer who shot Nembhard dedicated a felony offence.
The SIU investigates instances of significant harm, loss of life and allegations of sexual assault involving police, in addition to instances the place police discharge firearms at folks.
Davin Charney, the lawyer for the Nembhard household, is questioning why an inquest has not been referred to as now that the SIU has accomplished its investigation.
“The SIU’s investigated and has accomplished their investigation and there will not be {charges}. They did that inside 4 months. So, why in that scenario would not the coroner name an inquest at that time?” Charney requested.
“Now it has been greater than 4 months, however why would not the coroner — as a result of it is necessary, in a taking pictures, there’s going to be an inquest — why would not the coroner say, ‘OK, let’s name the inquest and we will do it inside a 12 months.'”
Davin Charney, the lawyer for the Nembhard household, is questioning why an inquest has not been referred to as now that the SIU has accomplished its investigation. ( Ontario Chronicle)
Schofield’s mom, Faye Dzikewich of Guelph, mentioned households mustn’t should undergo such lengthy wait instances not realizing what occurred to their family members.
“I actually do not know why [we have to wait this long]. I see no cause for it logically aside from shopping for extra time, maybe,” Dzikewich advised Ontario Chronicle.
“My concern is issues can change. Issues that occur like this get forgotten, they get brushed underneath the carpet. It will not with me. I’ll preserve it going so long as I can until I get the solutions that I am searching for.”
The SIU can be investigating Schofield’s loss of life.
Schofield’s mom, Faye Dzikewich of Guelph, says households mustn’t should undergo such lengthy wait instances no realizing what occurred to their family members. ( Ontario Chronicle)
In the meantime, Charney mentioned ready years for a coroners’ inquest “is just too lengthy” when households are grieving the lack of their family members.
“This delay is making their grieving and their struggling worse,” he mentioned.
Charney mentioned he is now trying to the province to set a timeline for inquests, and to have the Workplace of the Coroner full them inside a 12 months of somebody’s loss of life.
A spokesperson for the workplace of Ontario’s Chief Coroner says a part of the issue is that jury trials weren’t potential in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We do have inquests that should be heard and we’re doing our highest to get via them as a lot as potential,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Representatives from the coroner’s workplace got here out to talk with each households on Monday. They agreed to look into the standing of every case and comply with up.
