J.P. Beaumont jail death inquest hearing date set, sister hopes for closure

A hearing date has been set todetermine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the jail death of a high-ranking Manitoba biker gang member.

JeanPaul (J.P.)Beaumont, 39, wasan inmate at the Brandon Correctional Centre when he wasfound dead on Oct. 14, 2012.

His death, which was called suspicious at first,prompted an investigationby the Brandon Police Service and theRCMP.

It waslater deemed non-criminalwith the causedetermined to bea morphine overdose.

• Foul play ruled out in Brandon inmate's death
• Brandon jail remains locked down for death probe
• Inmate who died is alleged biker gang member

How he accessed the morphine and how it got into his system, however, has never come out. Beaumont's sister,Suzanne, hopes the inquest reveals that.

"I was never able to mourn my brother's death. I was never able to mourn my brother. It was a dangerous time," Suzanne Beaumont said. "We didn't have a funeral for him because we feared retaliation. So yeah, the inquest will help to bring some closure."

RAW: Suzanne Beaumont hopes an inquest into her brother's death will help bring some closure

8 years ago

Duration 0:55

A hearing date has been set to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the jail death of a high-ranking Manitoba biker gang member.

Beaumont died five days before he was scheduled to go on trial on one count of flight from police.He had another court date scheduled in November 2012 for dangerous driving and alleged breaches of his bail conditions.

Court documents submitted by the Winnipeg Police Service's organized crime unit at the time showBeaumont was the sergeant-at-arms and a full-patch member of the Rock Machine.

The gang hadbeen embroiled in a turf war in Manitoba with the Hells Angels and their puppet clubs.

Beaumont's house was shot at in 2010, and he fled the province. He was later arrested in Toronto and sent back to Manitobabecause he was on bail at the time.

The inquest willexplore the circumstances leading to Beaumont's deathfor the purpose of finding out what, if anything, might be done to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Before it begins, ajudge must decide who can participate in the process and question witnesses.Individuals and groups are allowed to make an application to be granted standing.

Those interested in applying for standing should contact lawyerRonToews, who will lead the inquest,at204-726-6012or by email atron.toews@gov.mb.cabyJune 15.

The standing hearing will be June 23 at 2 p.m. in courtroom 102 at Brandon Provincial Court.