Medical examiner calls inquest in Winnipeg Remand Centre inmate death

Manitoba's chief medical examiner will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death a man who died behind bars a year ago following a struggle with guards.

The inquest into the death of Russell Spence, 31, whom family described as a "friendly giant," was announced Friday in a news release.

Winnipeg police arrested Spence on Oct. 12, 2016, and took him to the Winnipeg Remand Centre. Hebecame involved in a struggle with guards who were allegedly conducting a physical search during processing.

Guards and Winnipeg police officers "eventually subdued" Spence and four minutes later he "suddenlybecame unresponsive," provincial medical examiner Dr. John K. Youneswrites.

Staff at Health Science Centre were unable to resuscitateSpence.

The extent of involvement on the part of remand centre guards or Winnipeg police officers remains unclear. Manitoba's Independent Investigation Unit is reviewing the case, as it does in all serious reported cases involving violent incidences with police officers.

Youneswill be conducting an inquiry in hopes of learning more about the circumstances surrounding Spence's death, and to determine whether anythingcan be done to avoid future deaths at the remand centre.

Inquests are mandated through theprovincialFatality Inquiries Actwhen there is reason to believe an inmate in a correctional institution "died as a result of a violent act, undue means of negligence or in an unexpected or unexplained manner."

Inquiries are also called in when there is a suspicion that an "act or omission" of an on-duty peace officer occurred.

Spence was on a two-year probation requirement at the time of hisarrest in connection witha June conviction.He had a criminal record thatincluded convictions for theft and charges for weapons offences.