|
BACKGROUNDER
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF
NEIL STONECHILD
- The body of Neil Stonechild was found in the north industrial area
of Saskatoon in November 1990. The original investigation determined the
cause of death was probable hypothermia.
- In February 2000, the bodies of Rodney Naistus and Lawrence Wegner
were found in an industrial area of Saskatoon, near the Queen Elizabeth
Power Station. The first investigation of these deaths determined that
both had died of probable hypothermia.
- Also in February 2000, Darrell Night came forward and alleged that
two Saskatoon Police Service officers picked him up, drove him outside
the city and dropped him off in sub-zero weather to walk back to
Saskatoon.
- The Minister of Justice, at the request of the Saskatoon Chief of
Police, requested that the RCMP undertake an investigation into the
circumstances leading to the deaths of Mr. Naistus and Mr. Wegner. The
investigation was to include a full review of related allegations that
members of the Saskatoon Police Service had engaged in the practice of
transporting and abandoning individuals at the outskirts of the city.
- As a result, the RCMP investigation also included the circumstances
leading to the deaths of Lloyd Dustyhorn in January 2000, Darcy Dean
Ironchild in February 2000, and Neil Stonechild in November1990.
- The investigation of the incident reported by Mr. Night resulted in
the conviction of two Saskatoon Police Service officers for unlawful
confinement.
- The investigations of the deaths of Mr. Dustyhorn, Mr. Ironchild and
Mr. Naistus were concluded and it was determined that, based on the
evidence, charges were not warranted. The Minister of Justice then
ordered Coroner’s Inquests into the three deaths. These inquests have
been completed.
- The investigation of the death of Mr. Stonechild was concluded and
it was determined that there is not sufficient evidence to lay charges.
However, there was evidence that Mr. Stonechild had contact with members
of the Saskatoon Police Service on the day he was last seen alive.
- On February 20, 2003, the Minister of Justice for Saskatchewan
announced the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice D. H. Wright to
conduct a Commission of Inquiry Into Matters Relating to the Death of
Neil Stonechild.
- The purpose of the Inquiry is not to determine criminal or civil
responsibility. Rather, its purpose is to conduct a public inquiry into
the circumstances that resulted in the death of Mr. Stonechild,
including the nature and extent of contact between Mr. Stonechild and
members of the Saskatoon Police Service. The Commission is also to look
into the way in which the 1990 investigation of Mr. Stonechild’s death
was conducted.
- Commissioner Wright has designated Mr. Joel A. Hesje of Saskatoon as
Commission Counsel.
- The Commission is to deliver its final report and recommendations to
the Saskatchewan Minister of Justice.
 TOP
OF PAGE |
