NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF SOLICITOR GENERAL
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Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, Hamilton Office, announced today that a new date has been scheduled for the combined inquest into the deaths of Timothy Anderson, Murray Balogh, David Cowe, Michael Croft, and Jahrell Lungs.
Anderson, 42, died on Dec. 19, 2020; Balogh, 20, died on Feb. 23, 2022; Cowe, 32, died on Jan. 11, 2018; Croft, 38, died on July 25, 2020; and Lungs, 26, died on Aug. 1, 2021. All deaths occurred while they were in custody at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, or after being transferred to Greater Niagara Hospital in Niagara Falls. Inquests into their deaths are mandatory under the Coroners Act.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
The inquest is expected to last 15 days and hear from approximately 17 witnesses.
The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Dr. Richard McLean will be the presiding officer. Peter Napier and Phillip Tsui will be the inquest counsel.
The inquest will be conducted by video conference. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live at this link.
For more information about inquests, see: https://www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
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