Chief coroner orders public inquiry into death of 21-year-old illegally detained at Bordeaux jail
Spring’s family has called for an inquiry into systemic racism in the detention system
CBC News · Posted: Jan 17, 2023 2:43 PM EST | Last Updated: 32 minutes ago
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the death of Nicous D'Andre Spring, a 21-year-old man who died while being held at Montreal's Bordeaux jail on Christmas Eve.
Spring was supposed to have been released on bail one day before an incident at the jail in which guards covered his head with a restraining device called a spit hood and pepper-sprayed him twice. He died shortly afterwards.
The chief coroner, Pascale Descary, has assigned coroner Julie-Kim Godin to lead the investigation into Spring's death, which will be public. A prosecutor who has yet to be named will assist her.
Under Quebec's Coroners Act, the chief coroner can order an inquest into any death deemed to be of public interest, or if the chief coroner believes it useful to question under oath persons who are able to provide information that is important to the investigation.
The coroner has no authority to rule on civil or criminal liability but can make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
In a social media post, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel lauded the decision to hold public hearings.
"This additional step provides transparency to ensure public confidence in our correctional institutions," he tweeted. "I will ensure that the ministry takes all actions to avoid such a situation in the future."
Earlier this month, Spring's family called for an inquiry into systemic racism in the provincial detention system.
In a statement released by the Red Coalition, a non-profit lobby group assisting Spring's family, Spring was described as a young aspiring artist, a son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew, youth mentor and a friend to many.
Spring, the group said, was receiving support with mental health issues at the time of his death.
Spring's sister, Sarafina Dennie, said in the statement that her brother needed support but was treated by jail guards like a "rabid animal."
"They put a spit mask on him, and a supervisor ordered agents to pepper-spray him while he was still wearing the mask," she said. "Correction officers are supposed to be trained to deal with inmates with special needs."
A spit mask, or spit hood, is a device used to prevent someone from spitting or biting.
Internal documents obtained by Radio-Canada say Spring died of a heart attack after he was pepper-sprayed, and guards thought he was faking his condition.
Since Spring's death, a manager and a prison guard have been suspended pending the results of several investigations, including one being conducted by provincial police, as well as the coroner's investigation.
CBC News · Posted: Jan 17, 2023 2:43 PM EST | Last Updated: 32 minutes ago
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the death of Nicous D'Andre Spring, a 21-year-old man who died while being held at Montreal's Bordeaux jail on Christmas Eve.
Spring was supposed to have been released on bail one day before an incident at the jail in which guards covered his head with a restraining device called a spit hood and pepper-sprayed him twice. He died shortly afterwards.
The chief coroner, Pascale Descary, has assigned coroner Julie-Kim Godin to lead the investigation into Spring's death, which will be public. A prosecutor who has yet to be named will assist her.
Under Quebec's Coroners Act, the chief coroner can order an inquest into any death deemed to be of public interest, or if the chief coroner believes it useful to question under oath persons who are able to provide information that is important to the investigation.
The coroner has no authority to rule on civil or criminal liability but can make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
In a social media post, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel lauded the decision to hold public hearings.
"This additional step provides transparency to ensure public confidence in our correctional institutions," he tweeted. "I will ensure that the ministry takes all actions to avoid such a situation in the future."
Earlier this month, Spring's family called for an inquiry into systemic racism in the provincial detention system.
In a statement released by the Red Coalition, a non-profit lobby group assisting Spring's family, Spring was described as a young aspiring artist, a son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew, youth mentor and a friend to many.
Spring, the group said, was receiving support with mental health issues at the time of his death.
Spring's sister, Sarafina Dennie, said in the statement that her brother needed support but was treated by jail guards like a "rabid animal."
"They put a spit mask on him, and a supervisor ordered agents to pepper-spray him while he was still wearing the mask," she said. "Correction officers are supposed to be trained to deal with inmates with special needs."
A spit mask, or spit hood, is a device used to prevent someone from spitting or biting.
Internal documents obtained by Radio-Canada say Spring died of a heart attack after he was pepper-sprayed, and guards thought he was faking his condition.
Since Spring's death, a manager and a prison guard have been suspended pending the results of several investigations, including one being conducted by provincial police, as well as the coroner's investigation.
Disclaimer:
The Press Release section of the Red Coalition Inc. website features logos and content from various media outlets. The content within this section is sourced directly from original press releases and articles. Proper attribution is given to the original authors and media outlets, including their logos, to maintain transparency and respect for their work.
Our intention is solely to provide our audience with access to relevant information and news. We do not claim ownership of the content, nor do we intend to infringe upon the rights or copyrights of the original media outlets. If there are any concerns regarding the use of content, please contact us, and we will address the issue promptly.
Recent
Legault should admit to systemic racism in Quebec: Red Coalition
October 16th, 2024
Une femme accusée d’avoir aspergé d’eau bouillante un garçon de 10 ans
October 11th, 2024
Longueuil woman arrested again after Black child, 10, scalded with boiling water
October 11th, 2024
Woman accused of throwing boiling water on 10-year-old boy faces aggravated assault charge
October 11th, 2024
Enfant ébouillanté à Longueuil: une «profonde inquiétude» face à la libération de la suspecte
October 10th, 2024
Archive
2024
January
July
August
The Red Coalition Inc. Files $1 Million Human Rights Complaint Against the Québec Government Over Discriminatory Impact of Bill 96Human rights group seeks $1M in damages over Bill 96 'discrimination'$1-million human rights complaint filed against Quebec government over Bill 96 Human rights complaint against Bill 96 seeks $1M in damages from Quebec governmentRed Coalition files human rights complaints against Quebec on Bill 96
September
New video shows disturbing police brutality against Black man in LavalMan says Laval police allegedly used excessive force during arrestToronto man files complaint against Laval, Que., police after violent arrest caught on videoUn homme affirme que la police de Laval aurait fait un usage excessif de la force lors de son arrestation‘I can’t breathe, guys’: Ontario man accuses police in Quebec of using excessive forceToronto-area man files complaint against Laval police over violent detainmentRed Coalition Calls for the Urgent Creation of an Anti-Racism Act in Québec
October
Quebec Premier François Legault's Denial of Systemic Racism Contributes to a Rising Climate of Hate and DiscriminationEnfant ébouillanté à Longueuil: une «profonde inquiétude» face à la libération de la suspecteUne femme accusée d’avoir aspergé d’eau bouillante un garçon de 10 ansLongueuil woman arrested again after Black child, 10, scalded with boiling waterWoman accused of throwing boiling water on 10-year-old boy faces aggravated assault chargeLegault should admit to systemic racism in Quebec: Red Coalition
2023
January
La famille de l’homme demande une enquête sur le racisme systémiqueFamily of Montreal man killed while unlawfully jailed wants systemic racism inquirySystemic racism inquiry called for by family of man who died after being pepper-sprayed at Bordeaux prisonUN GROUPE ANTIRACISTE RÉCLAME UNE ENQUÊTE PUBLIQUE SUR LA MORT DU DÉTENU DE BORDEAUXDétenu mort à la prison de Bordeaux: une coalition exige plus de transparence sur le milieu carcéralLobby group seeks public inquiry, release of video in Montreal man’s jail deathUne coalition réclame la publication de la vidéo de l’interventionCivil rights group calls for inquiry into death of illegally jailed 21-year-old black manAnti-racism group calls for release of video in connection with Montreal jail deathLobby group seeks public inquiry in Montreal man's jail deathRights group seeks public inquiry into death of man in Montreal jailAnti-racism group claims Quebec told Longueuil police to ignore court order on racial profilingAllison Hanes: Montreal prison death demands urgent answersRed Coalition: Quebec ministry told Longueuil police force to defy court order on racial profilingQuebec told Longueuil police to disregard court order on racial profiling, says anti-racism groupCivil rights group accuses Quebec of covering up race-based police dataQue s’est-il passé à Bordeaux ?Public inquest to be held into death of man in Montreal jailPublic inquiry ordered into jail death of illegally detained Montreal manIl y aura une enquête publique du coroner sur la mort de Nicous SpringCoroner orders public inquiry into Montreal man's jail deathChief coroner orders public inquiry into death of 21-year-old illegally detained at Bordeaux jailRed Coalition calling for investigation into systemic racism in Quebec jailsPolice union head tells Montreal's new chief: staffing shortages 1st, community policing 2ndChief Coroner orders public inquiry into death of Nicous SpringPROFILAGE RACIAL: UNE PLAINTE OFFICIELLE DÉPOSÉE CONTRE LA VILLE DE LONGUEUILCoalition alleges contempt of court against LongueuilPROFILAGE RACIAL: «LA CAQ DOIT TENIR SES PROMESSES», ESTIME LA COALITION ROUGEGroups to kick off Black History Month with measures to fight racism
February
Cas de racisme et de cyberintimidation au Collège Bourget de RigaudGroup says private school near Montreal ignored racism complaintsQuebec sisters afraid to go school, say racism complaints ignoredCalls grow to change streets named after Christopher Columbus on island of MontrealAnti-racism group accuses Montreal-area school of systemic racismUn citoyen souhaite «annuler» Christophe Colomb à Pointe-ClaireRACISME ET CYBERINTIMIDATION: LE COLLÈGE BOURGET MIS EN DEMEUREBlack anti-racism groups lob volleys at Canada and QuebecProminent Quebeckers voice support for Trudeau’s anti-Islamophobia representativeProminent Québecers plead for federal anti-Islamophobia rep to be given a chancePetition against Bill 21 tabled at National AssemblyMontreal police brotherhood says it's too easy to blame its members for racial profilingLongueuil, other Quebec police slow in implementing race-based data frameworkAucune accusation ne sera portée contre les policiers qui ont tué Junior OlivierCalls for police accountability as officers who fatally shot Jean René Olivier face no chargesLack of care on Loyola property "unacceptable":DeBellefeuilleGroups call to cancel puppet show featuring minstrel characterUn spectacle pour enfants sème la controverse dans l’ouest de MontréalUn exemple de « racisme systémique », dénoncent des associationsLocal Montreal play carries on despite upset over controversial puppetFamily of man killed by Repentigny police says lawsuit incomingLa mère de Jean-René Junior Olivier poursuit la Ville de RepentignyLa mère de Jean-René Junior Olivier, abattu par des policiers de Repentigny en août 2021, a déposé une poursuite contre la Ville de RepentignyFamily of Black man killed by Repentigny police files to sue city for $430K in damages
March
Anti-racism group says Montreal police withheld findings of racial profiling reportRed Coalition alleges SPVM withholding findings on racial profilingUN GROUPE ANTIRACISTE AFFIRME QUE LE SPVM A RETENU LES CONCLUSIONS D'UN RAPPORT SUR LE PROFILAGE RACIALThis boarded-up building lays bare Montreal's crumbling social housing systemQuebec Bill on police practices facing criticismCity of Longueuil facing contempt charges related to police racial profilingLE PROFILAGE RACIAL EXERCÉ PAR LA POLICE DANS LA MIRE DU MINISTRE BONNARDELEthics complaint filed against Montreal executive committee chairperson"Smokescreen; a dog and pony show"City of Longueuil, Que. gets postponement of contempt of court charges
May
Pearson Board denies allegations of systemic racism, assaultAllegations of discrimination and racism at Montreal-area elementary schoolPlaidoyer pour intégrer des résidents permanents au sein des corps policiers québécoisPlea to integrate permanent residents into Quebec police forcesPolicier au Québec: un métier encore fermé aux résidents permanents
Categories
no categories