Inquest into Winnipeg police shooting of Craig McDougall to resume Nov. 7
Hearings adjourned last week after witness changed account
A provincial inquest into the shooting death of Craig McDougall by Winnipeg police will resume Nov. 7, three months after it began only to adjourn abruptly.
The new date was confirmed Monday by Corey Shefman, the lawyer representing the 26-year-old man's family.
The inquest was supposed to run for three weeks beginning Aug. 8.
But as the first day of hearings got underway, court heard that a witness had a changed story. As a result, time was needed to re-interview the witness.
Shefman told CBC News in an email Monday that more than one witness had new evidence, although no specific number was given.
"A number of witnesses have provided new evidence which was not in their original statements eight years ago. The Crown has to ensure that the evidentiary record is complete before we proceed," he wrote.
McDougall was shot and killed by Winnipeg police in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2008. Police were already at the Simcoe Street home, dealing with a disturbance, when he arrived.
Police have said that McDougall had refused repeated demands to drop a knife, and officers had to use a firearm after they could not subdue him with a Taser stun gun.
Family members, however, have contested that account, saying he was holding a cellphone and was talking to his girlfriend as the situation unfolded.
With files from Courtney Rutherford