Inquest confirmed in Winnipeg Remand Centre death of Errol Greene
Days after refusing to comment, chief medical examiner confirms plan to conduct inquest
An inquest will be conducted into the death of a man at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, the office of Manitoba's chief medical examiner confirms.
Errol Greene died while in custody in May after suffering epileptic seizures.
Greene's wife, Rochelle Pranteau, told CBC News earlier this week the chief medical examiner's office had confirmed an inquest had been called to investigate the circumstances surrounding her husband's death.
CBC News asked the chief medical examiner's office on Tuesday to confirm whether this was the case. They refused to comment at the time but said Friday that an inquest will happen.
Greene was arrested and placed in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre on April 30 for breaching probation conditions that required he not consume alcohol.
He suffered epileptic seizures in custody while in the middle of a telephone conversation with his wife on May 1.
An autopsy report from October obtained by CBC News raised concerns about how corrections officers handled the 26-year-old's medical emergency, and stated he was not given seizure-controlling medication while behind bars.
The Fatality Inquiries Act states that in order for an inquest to take place, an initial investigation must show there are "reasonable grounds" to assume someone in custody "died as a result of a violent act, undue means or negligence" or died "as a result of an act of omission of a peace officer in the course of duty."
The statement from the chief medical officer said the inquest will also try to determine what can be done to prevent future deaths in custody.
The start date for the inquest hasn't been released.
Errol Greene Inquest: Chief Medical Examiner (PDF KB)
Errol Greene Inquest: Chief Medical Examiner (Text KB)CBC is not responsible for 3rd party content
With files from Kim Kaschor