A coroner’s inquest has been called into the death of a man shot and killed by police on the Kinnaird Bridge in Castlegar.
The inquest into the death of Waylon Jesse Edey, 39, of Yahk, will begin on Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the Nelson Law Courts.
On Jan. 29, 2015, Cst. Jason Tait attempted to pull over drunk driver Waylon Edey on the highway near Castlegar. When Edey did not stop, a series of events occurred that led to Tait fatally shooting Edey.
Three years after the incident occurred, Tait was charged with manslaughter. But in November 2020, Tait was found not guilty by a jury.
The trail focused on whether Tait’s use of force was necessary and reasonable under the circumstances.
In 2016, Edey’s mother, Deborah Edey, filed a civil claim against Tait. The outcome of that claim is unknown.
A coroner’s inquest was inevitable, because the Coroners Act makes inquests mandatory for any deaths that occur while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.
A coroner’s inquest is a public inquiry that serves three primary functions:
• to determine the facts related to a death, including how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their death, as well as a classification for the death;
• to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and
• to ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.
Kim Isbister, presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances, but can not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.
The inquest will be livestreamed, but the same rules apply as for in-person attendance at an inquest. Reproduction, broadcasting and publishing, including through social media, of inquest proceedings is prohibited.
To access the livestream, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts/inquestlivestream.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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