A coroner’s inquest will be held into the death of a man in Hawkesbury which took place in 2019.
According to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Nicholas Taylor, 31, died in hospital on May 10, 2019, following an interaction with officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on May 2, 2019, in Hawkesbury. Whenever an individual dies due to an injury sustained due to the use of force by police, an inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, announced on Thursday, April 18 that the inquest will be conducted.
An inquest is a public hearing conducted by a coroner before a jury of five community members. Coroner’s juries are selected the same way juries are for cases heard in court. Inquests are held to inform the public about the circumstances of a death. Although the jury’s conclusions are not binding, any recommendations suggested, if implemented, are intended to prevent further deaths.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death.
Details regarding the date and location of the inquest will be provided by the Solicitor General at a later date.
