March 15, 2016
Standing Hearing for Inquest Into Death of Christopher Chastellaine
A standing hearing will take place to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the death of Christopher Chastellaine, 40, of Winnipeg.
Chastellaine was arrested and detained by Winnipeg Police Service on May 22, 2014. He appeared intoxicated and, while in custody, become involved in a physical altercation involving six officers. After being shackled and placed prone on the floor, Chastellaine became unresponsive. Restraints were removed and officers provided first aid. Emergency medical responders were successful in reviving him and he was transferred to hospital. Alcohol and oxycodone were found in his system. On May 24, 2014, tests showed Chastellaine had suffered irreparable brain damage. He died two days later. The cause of death was determined to be brain damage, due to cardiorespiratory arrest.
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, the 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 Deidre Badcock, inquest counsel, 204-726-6689 or deidre.badcock@gov.mb.ca by March 30.
The standing hearing will be held April 6 at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 408 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.
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