Coroner orders public inquiry into Montreal man's jail death

Quebec’s chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the death of a 21-year-old man at Montreal's Bordeaux jail on Dec. 24, 2022.

Nicous D'Andre Spring was unlawfully held at the detention centre when guards fitted his head with a spit hood and pepper-sprayed him twice. He died later in hospital.
Chief coroner Pascale Descary issued the order Tuesday. Coroner Julie-Kim Godin has been appointed by Descary to preside over the inquiry, assisted by a prosecutor who will be appointed shortly.

The details of the public inquiry and the dates of the hearings will be communicated at a later date, a news release said.
A judge had ordered Spring released from the detention centre the day before, but he and two other inmates were still in custody when the altercation occurred.

Arrested by Montreal police on Dec. 20, Spring appeared in court on Dec. 23 on charges of assaulting a peace officer, criminal harassment and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was also facing two counts of breach of a condition of release. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Quebec provincial police are conducting a criminal investigation into Spring’s death, and management of Bordeaux jail is undergoing an administrative investigation.
Non-profit lobbying organization The Red Coalition has been advocating for an independent coroner's inquiry and the release of any relevant detention centre video footage to the family if it exists.

Reacting to the news, Red Coalition co-founder Joel DeBellefeuille said the group applauded the chief coroner's decision. to carry out an inquiry.