Smith Inquest Day 2: Evidence
Posted May 17, 2011 12:54:14 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The video tape of Ashley Smith’s death will be part of the inquest looking into her passing on October 19, 2007.
Coroners Counsel, Eric Siebenmorgen outlined to the inquest jury this morning what evidence will be submitted, calling the video of Smith’s death the most important piece of evidence.
He outlined the basic content of the video: Smith tying a cloth around her neck; guards watching at the door; guards enter the cell and remove the cloth and then leave again and continue watching; then the guards call the nurse and resuscitation efforts began; then EMS was called in.
After that, Smith was pronounced dead in hospital.
However, Julian Falconer, representing the Smith family, says one day of videotape is not enough to get the whole picture.
Falconer says documentary evidence to be presented first by the Coroners Investigator gives the context of Smith’s behaviour and state of mind.
That documentary evidence will include a psychological report from Waterloo Regional Police that says on Page 13 that constant confinement while incarcerated had a detrimental effect on Smith.
The documents will also include a full report from the New Brunswick Ombudsman on Smith’s time incarcerated in the New Brunswick youth justice system.
However, the five-member jury will be cautioned that the Ombudsman’s conclusions in that report refer only to that youth justice system, not to Smith specifically.
It’s not clear now if video evidence will be submitted today during Day 2 of the inquest, the documents being submitted may take too long.
Siebenmorgen added the entire inquest will certainly go into the Fall of this year, but hopefully not into Christmas time.
