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Public inquest into death of Blaine Sargent began Monday

The public inquest into the death of 19-year-old Blaine Conrad Sargent began Monday May 6 at the Williams Lake provincial courthouse.

The public inquest into the death of 19-year-old Blaine Conrad Sargent began Monday May 6 at the Williams Lake provincial courthouse.

Dates for the inquest have been set aside from May 6 to May 10.

Sargent died at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia on Sept. 21, 2011. He had been taken to hospital after going into medical distress at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre a short time after returning from a court appearance in Williams Lake, the B.C. Coroner's Service said in a press release in November.

Presiding coroner Donita Kuzma and a seven-member jury will hear evidence from 24 subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death.

While the jury may not, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, it will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.

An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to death.

 



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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