RCMP need another 48 hours to review new Don Dunphy evidence
RCMP say they need more time to conduct interviews about new evidence relating to the death of Don Dunphy.
The Dunphy commission said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that RCMP say they will need another 48 hours to complete interviews regarding the new information, which was announced last week.
On Nov. 8, the release of police reports into Dunphy's death were delayed after the commission said it found "new information" about the incident.
Police cited concerns over "tainting" this new evidence, and asked the commission to delay the public release of the five reports expected to be issued last week.
Respecting the investigative process
On April 5, 2015 — Easter Sunday — Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Const. Joe Smyth shot and killed Dunphy inside Dunphy's Mitchell Brook home.
At the time, Smyth was assigned to then-premier Paul Davis's protective detail. He had visited Dunphy's home to conduct a risk assessment after Dunphy, 59, wrote tweets mentioning the former premier and other politicians.
Following an RCMP investigation, and a review of that investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, police announced on Sept. 13, 2016, that no charges would be laid against Smyth.
But a retired judge who oversaw the police investigation said he was still left with questions, and the provincial government began the long-promised public inquiry into Dunphy's death at the end of September.
The RCMP report into Dunphy's death was among the five that were to be released last week, before the delay was announced.
The Dunphy commission said it is committed to transparency, but "recognizes the importance of respecting the investigative process."
More information is expected in the next two days.
