Court hears appeal of inquiry into Native teen's death

Wednesday, September 26, 2007  

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a challenge to the inquiry of a Native teen's death.

Neil Stonechild was 17 when he was found frozen to death on the outskirts of Saskatoon in November 1990. He had last been seen with two police officers.

An official government inquiry didn't lay blame on anyone in particular but found that marks on Stonechild's body were "likely caused" by police handcuffs. Officers Larry Hartwig and Brad Senger were fired as a result.

Hartwig and Senger now want the court to invalidate the inquiry's findings. They say the evidence was unreliable and that the inquiry exceeded its authority.

The government and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations urged the court to uphold the inquiry's findings. The court reserved a decision.

Get the Story:
Appeal court reserves decision in Stonechild case (CBC 9/25)
FSIN urges Appeal Court to back inquiry findings (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 9/26)

Related Stories:
Ex-cops challenge inquiry into Native teen's death (9/25)
Ex-officers appeal firing over Native teen's death (09/13)
Court to hear ex-cops fired for Native teen's death (4/13)
Film defends ex-officers who dumped Native man (03/28)
Ex-cops 'unsuitable' for serviceafter death of teen (11/02)