(CBC News) – An inquest into the death of Harry Haineault, the man shot by an RCMP officer two years ago, has been suspended suddenly.
Coroner Alma Wiebe shut down the inquest in Meadow Lake on Tuesday, a day after it began.
The reason: it was learned that important new evidence had emerged.
Haineault’s brother Walter had video recordings of the shooting that took the life of his 38-year-old brother on Sept. 2, 2008, CBC News has been told.
Wiebe suspended the inquest indefinitely so that lawyers would have time to review the recordings.
During the inquest, the jury heard about the day officers from the RCMP detachment in La Loche went to Walter Haineault’s home on the Clearwater River Dene First Nation with a warrant for Harry Haineault’s arrest.
Haineault ran and Const. Jamie Grant pursued him.
Grant testified Monday the two got into a scuffle when he tried to arrest the man. He said Haineault was choking him and he feared for his life when he fired the fatal shot.
What wasn’t known when the inquest began is that Walter Haineault had four video cameras on his property that may have recorded the incident.
There was no suggestion from anyone at the inquest that the video would contradict the version of events described on Monday.
Well boomer, a cynic would suggest that there was nothing supportive of the accused position else they would have been front and center on the CBC. I would not hold my breath for any non politically correct decisions.
In these matters there should be a timely, accurate, open as possible investiation, and the truth be told, no matter who it helps or who it hurts.
If accuasions of racist behaviour are made; take note of the individual making such claims. Proving this individual right or wrong can only be done by exposing the facts.
“Let’s blame the Mounties and play the race card”
Boomer
With respect, and in my opinion, that should read as “Let’s hold the individual accountable”.
There are 52 cards in the deck. The below excerpt is another one of them:
This is what Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada’s First Prime Minister, had to say about the Indian situation in the United States and Canada in the Canadian House of Parliament, July 6, 1885.
“…that we have been pampering and coaxing the Indians; that we must take a new course, we must vindicate the position of the white man, we must teach the Indians what law is…” “…along the whole frontier of the United States there has been war; millions have been expended there; their best and their bravest have fallen. I personally know General Custer, and admired the gallant soldier, the American hero; yet he went, and he fell with his band, and not a man was left to tell the tale — they were all swept away…”
Just prior to the executions, November 20, 1885, MacDonald included the following in a letter to the commissioner of Indian Affairs: “The executions of the Indians ought to convince the Red Man that the White Man governs.”
There are people who believe that executions still take place. People’s views of the world are their reality. Right or Wrong.
Calvin Lawrence
CGL Consulting
D; I think I will do the same…. thanks for your imput, take care.
The question we should be asking is where were the tapes from the beginning? I’m suspicious that the victim’s brother new that his video tapes caught to some degree, what took place and that would not look good for the cause. Let’s blame the Mounties and play the race card. If the tapes are not released will the media cry foul, will the people of Canada demanding answers from the band like they were demanding from the Mounties? Time will tell! I think that the Clearwater River Dene First Nation band will be apologizing to Cst. Grant shortly.
A picture is worth a thousand words, remember the YVR video? First press release by the RCMP spokesperson?
Was there any relationship between the spokesperson’s statement and what we viewed on the video recording?
Obviously “somebody knows”.
Obviously something was recorded otherwise the inquest would have proceeded.
Just my point D; it makes one feel like it’s harder to find someone in there that is really telling the truth, (this should raise serious concerns before the judges here in Canada when they testify in inquiries, inquest and courts even when video footage is not present) from the top down, not including Commissioner Elliot here, then why is there any hope for any positive changes in that organization, which is really built on dishonesty?
They should read the Bible before being sent to cadet training or before they put their hands on it to testify in court, then maybe they will have a different perspective or a Godly fear and be compelled to tell the truth after, if that’s what they are hired to do that is?
Then when they get to the top they won’t fall so hard.
Totally agree RMR, I do wish things were better in the RCMP and IF only I saw some positive change in local policing where I live.
I have no problem with Elliott, he is a tough customer and he had to be. Imagine being thrown into that job with all its problems and having everyone expecting him to be perfect from day one.
We have seen him criticized on this forum and I wonder what the “critics” are doing internally to help him? Criticism on his chastising his subordinates is laughable, lets face facts, it was about time as we all have read for years about the problems at the top. We all know nothing at the top has changed for years and years.
Elliott being a civilian made his job so much more difficult and I bet few respect him because of that. Well he is the boss, like it or lump it. Again if you aren’t part of the solution in helping him then it is time to hit the road.
The changes Elliott is making right now are a positive step, regardless of what anyone thinks management had to be changed just to show a new era is going to start.
You can’t expect anyone to show respect if you are not prepared to clean house. I do hope the force can get to the point of having the general public respect them as in the past. Contrary to what is told I can’t think of a single person I know that has a positive opinion on the RCMP at this time. The “older” generation dreams of the past performance and respect and the ‘younger” generation have a lack of respect from their interaction with members. We also must not forget that too many of the “younger” generation respect NOTHING in life and that makes the job of the RCMP extremely difficult.
I am going to leave this forum now. I have honestly tried to give my views and my expectations nothing more or less.
I am going to spend my spare time on a couple of forums that relate to my hobby.
Bye to all, some intersting people just wish more would visit this site and post thoughts and stories
I wish EVERYONE the very best..
Nothing fishy about it. There is new evidence which nobody knows if or what is shows, until it has been presented to the inquest. The proceedings are only suspended. No doubt to obtain that and any other new evidence that may have cropped up. Would you not like to hear ALL the evidence, or just ignore what is not at hand? The inquest is a public forum and will in all likelihood enter the video(s) into the proceedings which makes it public.
Do you have an issue with Mr. Braidwoods inquiry?
Please explain the following: “…or are we to continue to believe everything is cosure in Canada?” I am not familiar with that word cosure.
This sounds fishy, why do we have Inquiries and Inquest if it must all be controlled by the ones having it.
To shut down an inquest just because you find out there might be some video evidence that could refute what the police officer said; that it was self defence.
Who’s interest are we looking for here anyway?
Is this going to be like the BC public Inquiry again?
I have been saying for years that these inquiries seem to be controlled and one sided, is this the best it can do to make things right?
Pretty bad impression on our justice system to shut this all down so suddenly, if there’s a video why not just present it to the public as it is or are we to continue to believe everything is cosure in Canada?