Four days after the Ontario government announced that it would carry out an investigation into the death of 18-year-old Samuel Brown on November 15.the investigation was officially postponed, and the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) said it will occur in early 2022 when face-to-face setup is “possible.”
“This postponement will address accessibility concerns expressed by the disability community, as well as allow for further exploration of the evidence without the limitations of a virtual environment,” said Stephanie Rea of the OCC.
The 18-year-old Brampton resident was found dead in his room at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford in February 2018.
The investigation was originally scheduled to take place on Zoom, although Brown’s family and trial attorney Saron Gebresellassi said it “is not the right forum for this matter.”
“You cannot do a successful cross-examination on Zoom,” Gebresellassi said, emphasizing that the procedures must be accessible to the deaf-blind community.
In the statement announcing the original investigation, the province said it would “examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Brown’s death” and that it would last approximately five days and would see the appearances of 13 witnesses.
A new press release announcing the postponement was scheduled to arrive from the province on Monday, November 1, according to Gebresellassi.
At press time, the province had not yet issued a notice.
Although this news means that Brown’s family will have to wait even longer for a result, Gebresellassi said it was a “victory.”
“The government and the coroner are in a difficult situation; they have to do the research and they must be accessible and comply with the law ”.
She points to the Accessibility for Ontario Residents with Disabilities Act (AODA), which aims to improve accessibility standards for Ontario residents with physical and mental disabilities.
He also said the province offered an apology, which it says is a “significant event,” although the family is still processing it.
Brown’s family say their son was in good health the weekend before he died, alleging that it was only 12 hours before they were informed that Samuel was not feeling well and when they pronounced him dead.
It is not known when or where the investigation will take place, although Gebresellassi argues that it should take place in Brampton, where Brown was born and raised and where his family still resides today.
“Samuel Brown was a kind, happy and healthy young teenager. He was appreciated for his infectious smile and kind spirit. He was non-judgmental and highlighted the warmest and kindest qualities in people. We are deeply grateful to the thousands of Canadians who have expressed their support for Samuel, ”his mother, Andrea Brown, said in a statement.
– With files from Iain Colpitts.
Reference-www.thestar.com