Tuesday July 23, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 59)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Open over: Canada finished fourth at the Canadian Open Sunday, after a tough loss to Australia. › see page 17
Gun wasn’t loaded
‘Respect the body’ inquest hears Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
For the second time in less than a month, an inquest jury has recommended police cars be equipped with video-recording equipment. The latest recommendation – in addition to nine others that include “respect(ing) the body” after death, longer hospitalization following suicide attempts and smaller fire-rescue vehicles – was made Wednesday evening, following the coroner’s inquest into the March 23, 2011 death of Brendon Samuel Beddow. Beddow, 23, was fatally shot by by police in Crescent Beach that afternoon, by officers dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 3000-block of McBride Avenue. When they arrived at the scene, Beddow had a gun in his hand that, despite repeated orders, he refused to drop, the inquest heard. The video suggestion was among 10 put forward by the five-member jury following the testimony of 19 witnesses, including a woman identified only as Beddow’s girlfriend; police, fire and ambulance personnel; medical professionals; and Beddow’s mother. The jury classified Beddow’s death as a homicide and determined he died as a result of a gunshot to the chest. Inquest counsel Rod MacKenzie told Peace Arch News Thursday that experts had described the injury as “catastrophic.” “The bullet went right through his heart,” he said. And while the jury also recommended that an injured individual’s restraints be adjusted or removed so as not to impede medical attention – Beddow was apparently handcuffed after he was shot
Evan Seal photo
Left, Brenda Michie (on far right) arrives at Surrey Provincial Court with supporters Monday, for the trial of Glen Edwards Theriault (above), who is charged with dangerous driving causing death in connection with the January 2011 collision that killed Michie’s husband, Jim Neiss. Sarah Massah photo
Jim Neiss was killed on way to work Jan. 18, 2011
Widow faces dump-truck driver public,” Assonitis said. Neiss, 59, died just after 5:30 a.m. Jan. 18, The trial of the man charged in connection 2011 when his eastbound Ford Explorer was with the 2011 collision on 16 Avenue hit head-on in the 19800-block of that killed South Surrey resident Jim 16 Avenue by a Sterling dump truck Neiss got underway in Surrey Provinthat had reportedly crossed a doublecial Court Monday. yellow line to pass a small white car. During opening statements, proseThe force of the impact compressed cutor Damien Assonitis told the court the front section of the Explorer into that based on the testimony of several less than half its width. eye witnesses, as well as comments Theriault – who was charged 10 made to the RCMP by the defendant, months after the collision – pleaded the Crown would prove that Glen not guilty to dangerous driving causEdwards Theriault “was driving with ing death during a brief court appearJim Neiss a marked departure of care” on the ance in April 2012. victim morning in question. Neiss’ widow, Brenda Michie, who “The evidence will show that the was joined in court Monday by sevdump truck drove into the Ford eral friends and family members, told Peace Explorer and that Mr. Theriault was operating Arch News that the start of the trial has the vehicle in a way that was dangerous to the brought back the pain of losing her husband. Sarah Massah Staff Reporter
› see page 4
“You would think after 2½ years you would almost get to the point where you’re seeing some light and you’re getting your life back,” Michie said during a brief recess. “After today, it doesn’t feel like that.” Michie was visibly shaken during testimony from Crown witness Langley RCMP Const. Baxter Morgan, which included photos taken from the scene. Crown is expected to call more witnesses – including drivers who were in the area in the minutes leading up to the collision – to testify in the coming days. Neiss – a bus driver with the Langley School District since 2003 – had been on his way to work when the collision occurred. The dump-truck driver, identified at the time of the crash as a 62-year-old Burnaby resident, was treated at the scene and released. The trial is expected to conclude on Friday.
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