Inquest into Barrie, Ont., man's death while in police custody reveals dramatic details
Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing to readers.
The inquest into the death of Olando Brown while in police custody in June 2018 in Barrie unfolded on Monday, with testimony shedding light on his final hours.
Barrie police Sgt. Bill Grant was the first to testify Monday morning, explaining he was on duty in plain clothes when he attempted to apprehend Brown in downtown Barrie on Bayfield Street. The officer said Brown was thought to be dealing drugs and that he resisted arrest.
The struggle to take Brown into custody was captured on cell phone video by bystanders, including the moment officers used a stun gun on the 32-year-old man.
Once in custody, police brought Brown to the station, where two officers conducted a full body search. The video camera was covered for Brown's privacy, but the audio continued to record.
Sgt. Grant described Brown's initially calm demeanour shifting, recalling he became fidgety during the search.
"He turned around and reached into his bottom area and grabbed a package out and jammed it in his mouth, deep, deep. It was fully into his mouth ... deep in his mouth," Sgt. Grant said.
The veteran officer said he and the other officer in the room jumped into action, trying to dislodge the then-unknown object, believing it could be drugs.
"I was concerned that he was going to die, so I grabbed his throat and said spit it out, spit it out, spit it out," Sgt. Grant testified, adding, "It was like a choke-hold on his throat so it would save his life."
Sgt. Grant said they did the Heimlich and CPR, but could not get Brown to cough up the object before he became limp.
"We laid him down," Sgt. Grant recalled.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Paramedics attended and performed CPR and used a defibrillator before transferring Brown to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"It was a lot of people there working on Mr. Brown, trying to save him," the officer recalled.
Retired staff sergeant Linda Moorhouse, who was in charge that day, told the inquest, "It was a very chaotic, fast-moving, pivoting scene."
Moorhouse called the situation tragic. "I think everything was done that could have been at the time. I think every effort was made to the best of our abilities."
Health Canada confirmed the two golfball-sized bags Brown put in his mouth contained heroin, fentanyl, a painkiller and caffeine. None of the drugs in the plastic bags entered his system.
The inquest is expected to call seven witnesses and take five days. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar circumstances.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto incident caught on video
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Who is Hope Hicks, longtime Trump aide who is testifying in N.Y. hush money case?
Hope Hicks, once a longtime trusted aide in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is testifying Friday in the New York hush money trial after being subpoenaed.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.