The British Columbia government began an inquiry into the death of Frank Paul, a Mi'kmaq man who was dumped in an alley by police officers in Vancouver.
Peggy Clement, Paul's cousin, was the first witness on Tuesday. She said she hopes the inquiry will resolve unanswered question about Paul's death on December 5, 1998.
"I just want to know what happened to him. I know he had a hard life but I don't think he deserved to die the way he did," she said, according to news reports.
Paul was in police custody for public drunkenness. A videotape shows police officers dragging him out of the police station on a cold, rainy night.
Paul, who was 47, died of hypothermia because of exposure due to alcohol intoxication, according to the autopsy. The police officers who were involved were never charged.
Paul was from the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick.
Get the Story:First witness at inquiry seeks answers regarding death of native (CBC 11/14)
Allegations of racism loom on first day of inquiry (The Globe and Mail 11/14)
inquiry into death of Frank Paul temporarily adjourned (The Vancouver Sun 11/14)
Paul put out to die like 'garbage' cousin tells inquiry (The National Post 11/13)
Relevant Documents:
Frank Joseph Paul: REASONS FOR DECISION (January 20, 2004) Relevant Links:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - http://www.ubcic.bc.ca Related Stories:
Former judge to lead inquiry into Native man's death (3/12)
Inquiry called into Native man's police-related death (2/23)
First Nations seek inquiry into police-related death (2/21)
Police won't face charges for dumping Native man (06/21)
Native man's death in B.C. getting another review (03/26)
B.C. First Nations demand inquiry into man's death (3/22)
B.C. inquiry rejected into death of Native man (3/19)
B.C. police reopen probe into death of Native man (06/25)
Native family wants inquiry into son's death (06/09)
B.C. official under fire for Native remarks (04/9)
