Review of Silverfox inquest gets underway

Yukon Supreme Court is hearing a judicial review into the inquest for Raymond Silverfox.

The Carmacks, Yukon,man died in 2008 after being held in RCMP cells.

An inquest in 2010 ruled he had died of a bacterial infection and pneumonia after lying in his vomit and feces for more than 13 hours in a police cell.

Two years ago, the inquest heard how he vomited 26 times during that period, and how guards and officers mocked him while denying his pleas for help.

Today, the family's lawyer, Susan Roothman, told court the inquest itself was 'unfair and biased.' Roothman alleges Coroner Sharon Hanley's charge to the jury lacked fairness.

Her arguments this morning hinged on police audio and video of the cell and guardroom area. Roothman says the jury was shown only a brief, fast-forwarded version of Silverfox in his cell.

She said key portions of the audio and video weren't shown at all - including conversations between RCMP officers and guards about his condition.

Roothman argued it was important for the jury to see - in real time - just how ill he was.

She says the jury was also not shown a portion of the video showing Silverfox knocking on the door asking for help.

Roothman says the video of the cell was not shown to the pathologist - adding the coroner failed to establish the connection between Silverfox's condition and his death.

The review is scheduled to go through Thursday.