Monday, March 19, 2007

Houston death in custody case goes to inquest

The October 2005 death of Houston resident Ian Bush while being released from RCMP custody, will be examined at a coroner’s inquest scheduled for May 22 – 25 and again from July 3-6 if required.

The Opinion 250 website had details on the case and how the inquest process will work posted on their site on Monday afternoon.

The tragic death has split the northwest community and called into question RCMP procedures with prisoners and the way that police involved shootings are investigated by the Force and the province.

The inquest will be held at the community hall in Houston and is expected to determine the facts and circumstances around the death of Mr. Bush and provide recommendations on how to prevent deaths in similar situations in the future.

Inquest Scheduled Into Death of Ian Bush
By
250 News
Monday, March 19, 2007 04:06 PM

An inquest into the death of Ian Bush (shown at right) who died while being released from RCMP custody in Houston on October 29/2005, has now been scheduled.

Bush had been taken into custody for having an open beer at the Houston hockey arena and for failing to give his proper name to a police officer.

Police have said there was a struggle when Ian was being released, and he was shot in the back of the head. The RCMP officer who fired the fatal shot will testify at the inquest. The inquest is scheduled for May 22 - 25, and will reconvene July 3 - 6 as required.

Presiding Coroner Shane DeMeyer and a five-person jury will publicly hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses in order to determine the facts surrounding the death. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.

The family will be represented at the inquest by Vancouver lawyer Howard Ruben .

Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 04:06 PM in News by 250 News

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