No charges against police in death of Winnipeg inmate

Manitoba's police watchdog says no officers will facecharges in connection to the death ofan inmate at theWinnipeg Remand Centre.

Russell Spencedied after struggling with guards and policeduring processing at the downtown facilityin October 2016.

Guards andpolice officers "eventually subdued" Spence and four minutes later he "suddenlybecame unresponsive" due to a medical emergency, Manitoba's chief medical examiner,Dr. John K. Younes said in a November 2017 report.

Staff at the Health Sciences Centre were unable to resuscitateSpence, 31.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba looks into all seriousincidentsinvolving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on oroff duty.

The investigation included interviews with numerous police and corrections officers, a review of closed circuit audio and video recordings from the Remand Centre, and also a pathology report.

A pathologist found Spencedied from cardiac arrhythmiamagnified by the toxic effects of methamphetamine in his bloodstreamcombined with the stress and injuries he incurred from being involved in a physical altercation.

IIU forwarded the complete investigation file to the Manitoba Prosecution Service, which determined there wasno reasonable likelihood of any police officer being convicted.

"Based on this advice, neither officer will face any Criminal Code charges arising from this matter," the IIUreport states.

An inquest into Spence's death is pending.