Latest news with #JosephGratton
CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
Inquest begins today into death of Windsor man at South West Detention Centre
First day of an inquest into the death of inmate Joseph Gratton at South West Detention Centre. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details. First day of an inquest into the death of inmate Joseph Gratton at South West Detention Centre. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details. A coroner's inquest is underway into the death of a 31-year-old man who died in custody at Windsor's South West Detention Centre in 2019. Joseph Gratton died on Oct. 30, 2019. His death is subject to a mandatory inquest under Ontario's Coroners Act, which requires one be held when a person dies while detained. The inquest, which began Monday morning and is expected to last five days, is being conducted by video conference. Dr. Richard Wells is presiding over the proceedings, with Julian Roy serving as inquest co-counsel. About five witnesses are expected to testify. Shortly after the inquest began, Roy acknowledged Gratton's mother, Lori Clifford, while expressing condolences and thanking her for participating in the process. 'Losing a family member before their time is a tragedy that is felt in unique and terrible ways,' Roy said. 'It's made worse in this case because Joseph was in a provincial correctional facility where you trusted he was safe in a difficult time in his life, and that faith you had in that system, that he would be safe there and in us was broken when he died.' He continued, 'I know that our process here cannot help you with your grief of losing your precious son and this is going to be a very difficult week for you to hear, but I hope you will get some answers about what happened, and this will help you in some measure with your healing.' The jury heard on the opening day that Jospeh Gratton died from fentanyl toxicity, according to autopsy results. A toxicology report that was entered as evidence revealed Gratton had 22 nanograms of fentanyl inside his system. The inquest is examining the circumstances that led to his death, including testimony that both Gratton and his cellmate, Blake Carter, were found in medical distress inside their cell by correctional officers. Carter survived the incident but has since died, the inquest heard. The first witness called was corrections officer Staff Sgt. Peter Spourdalakis, who oversaw operations for several units at the South West Detention Centre. While he had no direct issues with Gratton, he testified that Carter had a history of breaking facility rules and being caught with contraband. Jurors were also shown video evidence from inside the facility. One clip shows corrections officer Chris Rogers kicking on the door of Gratton and Carter's cell during an evening shift security check and shortly later returning when a commotion begins. The proceeding heard that Rogers, who was working an overtime shift, informed her supervisor she had previously experienced conflict with Gratton. Rogers is expected to testify on Tuesday. The jury also reviewed how staff responded once the medical emergency became apparent. In hindsight, Spourdalakis told the jury he would have had the sliding jail cell doors open differently and expressed interest in seeing additional security cameras installed throughout the facility. He noted since Gratton's death, there have been more unannounced K-9 searches that have proven effective at keeping contraband materials out of the corrections facility. The inquest may result in a series of recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. Members of the public can view the proceedings live online. CTV News Windsor will provide updates as the inquest continues throughout the week.
CTV News
20 hours ago
- CTV News
Inquest begins today into death of Windsor man at Southwest Detention Centre
A coroner's inquest begins today into the death of a Windsor man who died while in custody at the Southwest Detention Centre in 2019. Joseph Gratton was 31 years old when he died on Oct. 30, 2019. His death is subject to a mandatory inquest under Ontario's Coroners Act, which requires an inquest when someone dies while detained. Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, the regional supervising coroner for the West Region, London Office, announced that the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday and is expected to last five days. Dr. Richard Wells will preside over the proceedings, with Julian Roy serving as inquest counsel. The inquest will examine the events and circumstances surrounding Gratton's death. A jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. About five witnesses are expected to testify during the hearing, which is being held by video conference. Members of the public can view the proceedings live online. CTV News Windsor will provide updates as the inquest continues throughout the week.
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Inquest set to start in death of Joseph Gratton at troubled Windsor jail
Social Sharing A coroner's inquest into the death of a 31-year-old Windsor man begins Monday, nearly six years after he overdosed at a local jail. Joseph Gratton died on Oct. 30, 2019, while in custody at the South West Detention Centre, located on the outskirts of the city. "The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Gratton's death," the province said last week. "The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths." Criminal lawyer fears overcrowding is the new normal at Windsor jail Gratton, a father of two children, was in custody awaiting trial on robbery and assault charges. He was among several inmates who overdosed within a roughly two week period at the jail in 2019, the union representing staff at the facility said at the time. At the time, the union said persistent overcrowding and understaffing at the jail, despite repeated pleas to management for more support, had contributed to the drug overdoses. Activists joined Gratton's family and friends to protest conditions within the facility and demand correctional reform the month after his death. The province said Dr. Richard Wells will preside over Gratton's inquest, while Julian Roy will serve as counsel. A coroner's inquest is mandatory in Ontario when someone dies while in custody, except for those who die from natural causes. Though inquests involve lawyers and juries, "it is essential to remember that no one is on trial and that the jury is not allowed to assign blame in its verdict," the Ontario government says. "Although the jury's conclusions are not binding, it is hoped that any recommendations suggested, if implemented, will prevent further deaths." The province said the inquest into Gratton's death should last around five days and include five witnesses. The inquest begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be livestreamed to the public.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Date set for inquest into death of man at Southwest Detention Centre
The Southwest Detention Centre in Windsor, Ont. is seen in this undated photo. (CTV News file image) A date has been set for the inquest into Joseph Gratton, the man who died at Southwest Detention Centre in Windsor on Oct. 30, 2019. The Minister of the Solicitor General said the inquest will start at 9:340 a.m. on Monday. The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Gratton's death, and the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. The inquest is expected to last five days and will hear from approximately five witnesses. At the time of his death, CTV Windsor had reported that Gratton, 31, was facing charges of robbery and assault with a weapon when he died of a suspected drug overdose. A second inmate was also taken to hospital from a drug overdose. It remains unclear how the drugs got into the jail. Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, the regional supervising coroner, will examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
