Investigation into the death of an Aboriginal man: officers testify at their disciplinary hearing

Another officer charged with dereliction of duty in this case, Shawn Whippledefended himself by saying he had little role in the investigation.

The disciplinary hearing of the two agents involved in the investigation deemed to have failed in the death of Stacy DeBungee on October 15, 2015, started on May 30 and will end on June 17.

Mr Harrison pleaded guilty to dereliction of duty.

Earlier this week, the court heard evidence and testimony stating that the Staff Sergeant failed to follow up on leads that may have provided him with information relevant to the investigation.

He would have read some internal reports related to this case, and it was decided early on Stacy DeBungee died unintentionally.

In particular, the police were not available to meet with the victim’s brother, who arrived at the station accompanied by a private detective.

Ignorance of duty

David Buttthe attorney representing the two officers, asked Mr. Harrison whether that non -meeting was a negligence of duty.

This was a mistake on my part replied Mr. Harrison.

” I feel bad in the sense that I haven’t talked to Mr. DeBungee. I didn’t know he was there and it never occurred to me that I didn’t talk to a close relative. If circumstances were different and I was there, I probably would have talked to these two gentlemen. “

Shawn Harrison testified that at the time of’s death Stacy DeBungeerumors of a serial killer are spreading in Thunder Bay.

He claimed that a press release stating that police did not suspect foul play, shortly after the discovery of the body, was released to reassure the public.

The staff sergeant added that he did not approve the second press release and he would not issue a statement stating that the matter was not criminal without an autopsy being performed.

What evidence?

In his cross-examination, prosecutor Joël Dubois argued that Mr. Harrison graduated without evidence already Stacy DeBungee drank wine, and fell into the river, fainted, and drowned.

The officer testified that he suggested in the notes and meeting that the victim had accidentally drowned, saying he did not rule out the possibility that Mr. DeBungee was pushed.

Mr. Dubois then asked the staff sergeant to read his notes written while he was at the scene of the incident, which were part of the evidence presented during the hearing.

Notably he wrote that Mr. DeBungee is known to the police, due to several alcohol -related offenses, and there are no clear signs of trauma or foul play.

The prosecutor suggested that the officer left the scene too quickly and made insufficient efforts to follow all the leads and meet with witnesses.

Beginning of investigation into the case DeBungee, Mr. Harrison trained Thunder Bay police officers in basic case management. He makes sure none of his decisions are affected by racial prejudice.

Sergeant Shawn Whipple defended his actions

Other officers facing a disciplinary hearing, Shawn Whipplenot guilty of dereliction of duty charge.

He said that in October 2015, he was making two homicide cases and one aggravated sexual assault case, and he was only playing a supporting role in the investigation into the death of Stacy DeBungee.

Lord. Whipple added that taking notes and reading reports was the responsibility of the officers in charge of the investigation, a policy that has changed since then.

The prosecutor and the family lawyer DeBungee particular question of Mr. Whipple on a visit he and the agent Clark McKeevernow retired, made at the home of the victim’s wife to inform them of the death.

The sergeant said he did not enter the apartment, because of the number of people present, and interrupted the couple’s argument across the hall.

Mr. McKeever was an experienced investigator and if he knew the information he was receiving from those present was appropriate and needed formal statements, he did so. said Mr. Whippleproving that he did not feel obligated to make notes himself.

When asked why he was not taking notes, the sergeant replied: I would have liked to added: Because then, I don’t have to answer that question.