A former police officer who was convicted for shooting Ojibwe protester Dudley George to death was killed in a car accident on Saturday, just two weeks before he was to testify about his involvement in the controversy.
Kenneth Deane, 45, was acting sergeant for the Ontario Provincial Police at the time of the September 6, 1995, raid on Ipperwash Provincial Park. He shot and killed George and later served two years community service for criminal negligence.
George's death is now the subject of a high-profile inquiry that recently heard from former Ontarior premier Mike Harris. George's family believes Deane would have provided key testimony about the scandal.
Get the Story:Crash kills police officer who shot native protester at Ipperwash (CBC 2/26)
Car accident claims life of Ipperwash officer (CTV 2/26)
Key Ipperwash player dies (The London Free Press 2/27) Relevant Links:
Ipperwash Inquiry - http://www.ipperwashinquiry.ca
Who Killed Dudley George - http://www.whokilleddudleygeorge.ca
Dudley George and Ipperwash, CBC News - http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/ipperwash
Dudley George information - http://www.turtleisland.org/news/news-dudley.htm Related Stories:
Ex-premier concludes testimony to inquiry (2/21)
Opinions and Views: Mike Harris on the stand (2/21)
Ex-premier denies running a 'redneck' government (2/16)
Ex-premier testifies at inquiry into Native man's death (2/15)
Big witness to testify about killing of Native man (2/14)
Inquiry: 'I want the Indians out of the park' (11/29)
Explosive tape aired at inquiry into Native man's death (05/19)
Judge holds back tapes in Native man's death (10/13)
Inquiry opens into police shooting of Native man (07/14)
Racist statements by police prompt criticism (01/22)
Tape catches police making racist comments (1/21)
Ont. calls inquiry into death of Native man (11/14)
Native family settles death suit with police (10/03)
Civil trial over Native man's death delayed (09/19)