Father too sick to testify at inquest into son's death

The father of a Winnipeg man shot and killed by police in 2008 has been excused from testifying at the inquest into his son's death due to health reasons.

Brian McDougall was the first witness to testify on Monday when the long-awaited inquest began on Monday into the death of his 26-year-old son Craig. 

On Monday, he fell ill part way through cross-examination by Crown counsel, David Gray, and was excused by the judge for the day.

He returned to the stand Wednesday morning with the help of an Oji-Cree translator, but McDougall still had trouble understanding what was being asked of him and he was excused from the rest of the inquest. 

Craig McDougall was shot and killed outside his father's Simcoe Street home by a Winnipeg police officer on Aug. 2, 2008.

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Court heard that sworn statements previously made by Brian McDougall will be entered into evidence and referred to during the remainder of the inquest.

Judge Anne Krahn said if McDougall's health improves at a later date, he will be allowed to testify. 

Other members of the McDougall family will take the stand at a later date. The inquest is scheduled for several weeks throughout November and December. 

Wednesday afternoon, court heard from Detective Sergeant David Bevan who was a member of the homicide unit in 2008. He was tasked with talking to the three involved officers.

He told court he asked each officer individually if they wanted to make a statement. He said according to procedure, he also informed them that they could speak with a lawyer, union rep and wellness officer. 

Bevan also interviewed John McDougall, Brian's brother, who was at the home at the time of the shooting. Bevan confirmed he and his partner took John's statement before informing him of his nephew's death.

"They're too emotional to talk," Bevan said about notifying a witness of a death prior to obtaining a statement. "I prefer to wait for an opportune time to inform them."

Constable Nathalie Lagasse also took the stand. Court heard she arrived on the scene minutes after the shooting and was tasked to put up police tape behind the home and transport a witness to the Public Safety Building.

The officer who fired the lethal shots, Curtis Beyak, is expected to take the stand the week of Nov. 21.