March 13, 2015
Standing Hearing for Inquest into Death of Michael Winsor
A standing hearing will take place to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the death of Michael Winsor, 22, of Cambridge, Ont.
Winsor was seeking work in Alberta when he was hospitalized due to an overdose of an antipsychotic medication. He was transferred to a psychiatric unit in Saskatchewan, where he remained from Aug. 30 to Sep. 7, 2013. He then travelled to Winnipeg by bus on Sept. 8, 2013, where he was detained by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) under the Mental Health Act. WPS took Winsor to the Health Sciences Centre for an involuntary psychiatric assessment and he was later admitted as an involuntary patient.
On Sept. 10, 2013, he was found hanging in the shower room and transferred to the medical intensive care unit. He was pronounced dead later the same day.
Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, an inquest has been called by the chief medical examiner. Inquests explore the circumstances and events leading to deaths for the purpose of finding out what, if anything, might be done to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Before the inquest begins, a judge will decide who can participate in the process and question witnesses. Individuals and groups may make an application to be granted standing and participate in the inquest. Those interested in applying for standing should contact Patrice Miniely, inquest counsel, at 204-945-6121 or patrice.miniely@gov.mb.caby Friday, Mar. 27.
The standing hearing will be held on Friday, April 10 at 2 p.m. in courtroom 403 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.
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