The dates and location for a public inquest into the death of a man three years ago at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox have been announced by the BC Coroners Service.The inquest will take place May 7 to 11 at the Supreme Court building in Campbell River.George Alfred Jones, 40, died Jan. 19, 2009, at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox, Barbara McLintock, coroner of strategic programs for the BC Coroners Service, said in a news release. He had been transferred to hospital by RCMP the previous day after being found in medical distress shortly after having been taken into custody by officers.Debbie Darrah, Jones’ sister, said both she and her husband plan to attend the inquest. Presiding coroner Matthew Brown and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death.Darrah noted Brown will meet with her shortly before the start of the inquest to help explain the process.While the jury may not, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, it will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death.Darrah told the Record last year she and her family are relieved to finally have some closure.”Thank God someone is looking into it,” she noted. “We can see exactly who is at fault. Maybe something could have been done differently — there’s always been that wonder. I don’t want this to happen to someone else’s family.”
Family plans to attend inquest into death of man at Comox hospital
The dates and location for a public inquest into the death of a man at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox have been announced.
