A hearing into the conduct of two officers involved in the death investigation of Stacy DeBungee of Rainy River First Nation resumes in Thunder Bay today.
Seven witnesses have been called so far, including Stacy’s brother, Brad DeBungee and Jim Leonard, the former chief of the Rainy River First Nation.
Leonard, DeBungee and lawyer Julian Falconer filed a complaint with the Provincial Oversight Committee in March 2016, alleging a pattern of the police service jumping to conclusions when it came to the deaths of Indigenous people.
Thunder Bay Police officers Staff Sgt. Sean Harrison and Sgt. Sean Whipple, who are facing charges under the Police Services Act, will testify along with Dave Perry, a retired Toronto police investigator who was tapped by the DeBungee family and the Rainy River First Nation to investigate the October 2015 death.
DeBungee’s body was found near the McIntyre River. Police ruled out his death as being suspicious within a few hours later.
Harrison has pled guilty to the offence of failing to perform duties, according to the Police Services Act, based on the agreed statement of facts.
He entered a not guilty plea on the second charge of failing to treat or protect people equally during the case.
Whipple has pled not guilty to both offences.
Proceedings are set to resume this morning.