N.W.T. chief coroner to hold inquest into death of man in police custody

The office of the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories announced it will hold an inquest into the death of a man who died in police custody in Fort Smith last year.

Cathy Menard, the N.W.T. chief coroner, said on Oct. 16, 2015, Wilfred Emile, 66, was in RCMP cells in Fort Smith when he became medically distressed.

He was brought to the Fort Smith health centre, then medevaced to Edmonton, Menard said.

Emile was then transported back to the Fort Smith health centre, where he passed away on Oct. 26.

Preliminary findings from an investigation by the Medicine Hat Police Force found no indication that RCMP used force against Emile. It found his death was strictly a medical issue.

Menard said holding an inquest into Emile's death is required under the N.W.T.'s Coroners Act.

"It's mandatory under our legislation that an inquest be held when somebody passes away in custody," said Menard.

But Menard said there are recent changes to the act that will give the office of the coroner discretion on when to call inquests on future cases.

According to the act, a coroner who is satisfied that the death was due to natural causes and was not preventable, is not required to hold an inquest into the death.

The inquest into the cause and manner of Emile's death will begin on Sept. 27 in Fort Smith. Menard said the proceeding is open to the public.