The long-awaited inquest into the fatal police encounter involving Myles Gray in 2015 has been postponed once again. This latest delay is attributed to one of the officers under investigation, Constable Nick Thompson, needing additional time to secure new legal representation following the appointment of his former lawyer, Scott Wright, to the judiciary. The public hearing, initially slated to resume in January, has faced numerous obstacles, prompting frustration from those seeking accountability.
A Protracted Legal Battle
The inquest, which aims to examine the actions of seven Vancouver police officers involved in Gray’s death, has been marred by delays that have drawn considerable public attention. Adjudicator Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey expressed her disappointment over the continued setbacks, stating that the process has been “sabotaged by events beyond our control.” She emphasised the urgency of concluding the matter, remarking, “The word ‘old’ doesn’t begin to describe it.”
Previously, the hearing was interrupted due to an incident involving a live microphone that captured an obscenity, leading to the resignation of the original counsel, Brad Hickford. Brock Martland subsequently took over, but the recent developments regarding Thompson’s legal situation have necessitated yet another postponement.
Investigating Officer Conduct
Gray, who tragically died on August 13, 2015, sustained severe injuries during his arrest, which included a fractured eye socket and a crushed voice box. His death was later ruled a homicide in a coroner’s inquest held in 2023. However, a police disciplinary review concluded that the officers involved did not exhibit misconduct, and no charges have been brought against them. Apart from
