The coronerB次元官网网址檚 inquest into the 2015 RCMP shooting death of James Hayward in Port Hardy has been rescheduled for Aug. 20, in a courtroom almost three hours away from where the shooting occurred.
According to the BC CoronerB次元官网网址檚 Service, the change in venue is due to the fact that they needed a courtroom equipped for a jury that would be able to accommodate the inquest.
JamesB次元官网网址� aunt, Nora Hayward, said the family is B次元官网网址渁 bit disappointed that itB次元官网网址檚 going to be held in Campbell River B次元官网网址� if they had to change the venue why couldnB次元官网网址檛 they do it to Victoria where family and friends live?B次元官网网址�
She added that she asked if they could postpone it so that it could still be held in Port Hardy, but was told by the coronerB次元官网网址檚 service they B次元官网网址渃anB次元官网网址檛 do that.B次元官网网址�
Regardless of the change in venue, Nora stated she is B次元官网网址済lad that itB次元官网网址檚 finally happening and that JamesB次元官网网址� voice can be heard and hopefully some recommendations will be made to change the way the police deal with people suffering from mental health issues.B次元官网网址�
The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the courthouse in Campbell River, where the presiding coroner and a jury will hear the evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts about JamesB次元官网网址� death.
CoronerB次元官网网址檚 inquests are formal court proceedings, with a five- to seven-person jury, held to publicly review the circumstances of a death. The jury hears evidence from witnesses under summons (same as a subpoena) in order to determine the facts of a death. The presiding coroner ensures the jury maintains the goal of fact-finding, not fault-finding. Upon conclusion of the inquest, a written report known as a Verdict is prepared. It includes the classification of the death and any jury recommendations on how to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.
It was back in 2015 when James moved towards the Port Hardy RCMP with a large knife in his hand and was shot to the ground. Witnesses said he then got up and continued toward the police and was shot again and again fell, this time not getting back up.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
After a two-year investigation into the shooting, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) declined to press charges against the RCMP officer, as they felt there was a clear action from James that was creating a threat.
