The inquest into the police-related death of Myles Gray, which has been long awaited, is facing further postponements as one of the officers involved seeks new legal representation. The coroner’s hearing, which began in January 2023, was initially intended to proceed without interruption, but unforeseen events have led to multiple delays, much to the frustration of those seeking closure for Gray’s family.
A Setback for Justice
The latest delay stems from the recent appointment of Scott Wright as a judge within the British Columbia provincial court, a move that precludes him from continuing to represent Constable Nick Thompson. This development has prompted the adjudicator, Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey, to push the proceedings to the fall, expressing disappointment over the situation.
“One of my personal goals was to have this matter done in a 10-week block starting Jan. 19 and I was very determined that that happen,” Arnold-Bailey remarked. “Unfortunately, we have been sabotaged by events beyond our control in two instances. It is very much in the public interest that this be concluded. The word ‘old’ doesn’t begin to describe it.” Her sentiments highlight the growing urgency surrounding the case, which has already witnessed significant delays.
The ongoing inquest aims to investigate whether the seven Vancouver police officers involved in the violent apprehension of Gray, who died on August 13, 2015, acted with misconduct. Gray sustained severe injuries during the incident, including a fractured eye socket and a crushed voice box. A coroner’s inquest last year classified his death as a homicide; however, a police disciplinary review found no misconduct among the officers, and no criminal charges have been filed.
Complicated Legal Landscape
The inquest has been plagued by complications, including a prior disruption when a live microphone captured an obscenity, leading to the resignation of the hearing’s original counsel, Brad Hickford. His replacement, Brock Martland, has now taken on the challenging task of navigating this complex situation.
The other six officers under investigation—Kory Folkestad, Derek Cain, Josh Wong, Eric Birzneck, Beau Spencer, and Hardeep Sahota—are also awaiting the outcomes of these proceedings. The possibility of dual representation for Constable Thompson and Constable Wong was raised during a recent session, but Wong’s lawyer, Kevin Westell, confirmed
