Latest news with #MinistryoftheSolicitorGeneral
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man facing murder charges for attacks near Kingston encampment dies in custody
The man facing murder charges for a series of violent attacks near a Kingston, Ont., encampment that left two people dead and a third critically injured has died in custody, according to the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Andre Wareham was being held at the Central East Correctional Centre while awaiting trial. He died in hospital on April 22, ministry spokesperson Brent Ross confirmed in an email to CBC. Ross did not share any further details, including a suspected cause of death, citing ongoing investigations. The Ontario coroner's office said that because Wareham's death occurred while he was incarcerated, a standard death investigation is taking place. "If the manner of death is non-natural, a mandatory inquest will be held," spokesperson Stephanie Rea added in an email. Wareham's death was first reported by local news outlet Kingstonist. Reached by CBC, his family declined to comment. According to a GoFundMe campaign created in early May and shared by some of his loved ones on social media, Wareham was a father to three children and is also survived by his mother and brother. "Andre passed away under tragic and unresolved circumstances while incarcerated," it reads in part, asking for help covering the cost of a private service and to support his children following his cremation. 2 men killed, 1 woman seriously injured Wareham was facing two first-degree murder charges and one charge of attempted murder in connection with the deadly attacks on Sept. 12, 2024. Witnesses said the attacks involved a hammer. He was arrested following a lengthy standoff with police. It took place near an encampment that had grown around the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) on Montreal Street, which houses the city's only supervised consumption site and offers other services including showers and meals. Police identified Taylor Wilkinson, 38, and John Hood, 41, as the two men killed in the attacks. Friends described them as generous, caring and the kind of people who were always looking out for others. A woman who was not named by officials also suffered life-threatening injuries. In a statement issued while the standoff was still going on, Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson called for the encampment to be cleared and the injection site shut down until a "better way" to support vulnerable residents could be found. Investigators later said Wareham lived near the hub and was familiar to those living in Belle Park, but was not part of the encampment. Court documents from Thunder Bay show his arrest last September wasn't the first time he had been accused in a homicide: Wareham was charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a neighbour in 2009. He was ultimately found not guilty in that case, CBC reported in 2012. In the wake of the violence in Kingston, the ICH and all of its services were temporarily shuttered and the area around it fenced off as tents and other makeshift shelters were hauled down and removed. Just over a month later, the injection site reopened and other services slowly resumed. Today the fencing remains, but tents have sprung up in the wooded parts of Belle Park beyond the barriers and people continue to live rough there.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man facing murder charges for attacks near Kingston encampment dies in custody
The man facing murder charges for a series of violent attacks near a Kingston, Ont., encampment that left two people dead and a third critically injured has died in custody, according to the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Andre Wareham was being held at the Central East Correctional Centre while awaiting trial. He died in hospital on April 22, ministry spokesperson Brent Ross confirmed in an email to CBC. Ross did not share any further details, including a suspected cause of death, citing ongoing investigations. The Ontario coroner's office said that because Wareham's death occurred while he was incarcerated, a standard death investigation is taking place. "If the manner of death is non-natural, a mandatory inquest will be held," spokesperson Stephanie Rea added in an email. Wareham's death was first reported by local news outlet Kingstonist. Reached by CBC, his family declined to comment. According to a GoFundMe campaign created in early May and shared by some of his loved ones on social media, Wareham was a father to three children and is also survived by his mother and brother. "Andre passed away under tragic and unresolved circumstances while incarcerated," it reads in part, asking for help covering the cost of a private service and to support his children following his cremation. 2 men killed, 1 woman seriously injured Wareham was facing two first-degree murder charges and one charge of attempted murder in connection with the deadly attacks on Sept. 12, 2024. Witnesses said the attacks involved a hammer. He was arrested following a lengthy standoff with police. It took place near an encampment that had grown around the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) on Montreal Street, which houses the city's only supervised consumption site and offers other services including showers and meals. Police identified Taylor Wilkinson, 38, and John Hood, 41, as the two men killed in the attacks. Friends described them as generous, caring and the kind of people who were always looking out for others. A woman who was not named by officials also suffered life-threatening injuries. In a statement issued while the standoff was still going on, Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson called for the encampment to be cleared and the injection site shut down until a "better way" to support vulnerable residents could be found. Investigators later said Wareham lived near the hub and was familiar to those living in Belle Park, but was not part of the encampment. Court documents from Thunder Bay show his arrest last September wasn't the first time he had been accused in a homicide: Wareham was charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a neighbour in 2009. He was ultimately found not guilty in that case, CBC reported in 2012. In the wake of the violence in Kingston, the ICH and all of its services were temporarily shuttered and the area around it fenced off as tents and other makeshift shelters were hauled down and removed. Just over a month later, the injection site reopened and other services slowly resumed. Today the fencing remains, but tents have sprung up in the wooded parts of Belle Park beyond the barriers and people continue to live rough there.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Vermin and mould': Judge calls for investigation into Lindsay jail during drugs, gun sentencing
A judge has called for an investigation into the Lindsay jail after hearing about what he called the 'horrific' conditions there during the sentencing of a cocaine dealer. It was following disclosures by Kevin Nguyen's attorney involving the 'vermin and mould' at Central East compared to the much better stay at Toronto East, that Justice Robert Goldstein said that while he understands jail is not meant to be a cakewalk, that didn't excuse the conditions at the Central East Correctional Centre. 'It is not preordained that a jail has to (be) something familiar to Ivan Denisovich — and I am aware from many other cases that Toronto East is still unpleasant, as any jail would be,' he said referring to the 1950 novel about a Soviet labour camp prisoner. 'The place is ripe for a Ministry investigation into the conditions there.' Some of the issues raised in court involve Nguyen spending 543 days in the jail, during which he was triple bunked on 112 occasions and on lockdown on 296 occasions, meaning inmates are in their cells most of the day. During this time, he was forced to sleep on the floor with his head near the toilet, often without blankets, and spent as many as 10 days without a shower. Overcrowding, he said, resulted in competition for space, phone calls and even seats. Nguyen's lawyer called the jail highly unsanitary, saying his client's cell was infested with vermin and had mould growing on the showers, cells and toilets. He also said there was often urine and feces stains on the walls. The court further heard how inmates have access to drugs and alcohol with frequent overdoses, sometimes resulting in death. 'Mr. Nguyen generally found the atmosphere at Central East to be hostile and stressful,' Goldstein told the court. 'He found the guards were frequently rude and disrespectful to the inmates and the difficult conditions often led to fights.' As opposed to this, he said his time at Toronto East Detention Centre was much more positive, where he participated in workshops and programs. It remains unclear what, if anything, will be done about Goldstein's statement. The Ministry of the Solicitor General told Metroland it would not comment on the matter. 'The ministry does not comment on any specific individual or case before the courts,' Brian Gray, a ministry spokesperson, wrote in an email. Nguyen, 28, was found guilty of gun and drug offences after a 2023 bust of his home on Toronto's Spadina Avenue, where Durham police discovered a one-kilogram brick of cocaine, a loaded gun, two extended Glock magazines, a money counter, cellphones and more. Police became aware of his existence after he met with another man they were investigating, Dane Goodwin, the court heard. This is the fifth firearm offence faced by Nguyen. 'It seems to me that Mr. Nguyen has been leading the lifestyle of a professional criminal,' Goldstein said. Prior to sentencing Nguyen, Goldstein also paid tribute to the jail employees and the difficult jobs they have running an institution like Central East. 'This court cannot condemn too strongly the conditions at Central East,' he told the court. 'I understand that staff shortages are a chronic problem at the Ministry. I understand that it may be difficult to attract staff to do an incredibly difficult and often thankless job.' Goldstein, who said the sentence, 'before taking totality and the harsh conditions of custody' into account should have been between 10 and 12 years, but, instead, Nguyen was sentenced to eight and a half years. He will serve five years and three months after enhanced rate custody credit for the 40 months he's already spent in custody. Watch: Disturbing video shows jail guards carrying out violent, hours-long retribution at Maplehurst Brantford man charged in several murders dies in jail An inquest into my brother's death made 57 recommendations. Doug Ford still has not addressed them a year later
CBC
26-03-2025
- CBC
Thunder Bay police investigations lead to seizure of more than $1M in illicit drugs
Social Sharing More than $1 million in illicit drugs were seized by Thunder Bay police over the course of two major investigations that began last year. On Tuesday, police announced the results of Project Incognito and Project Decoy. The two investigations also led to the arrest of more than 40 people, and the seizure of firearms and vehicles, police said. The drugs seized included quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, police said. "Project Decoy was a nine-week long, street-level drug investigation, which is primarily focused on community impacts, and local and non-local residents who continue to engage in the sale of illicit drugs," Thunder Bay police Det. Sgt. Chris Carlucci said at a media event on Tuesday. "Project Decoy identified and targeted these locations based on community concerns, as well as information brought forward by citizens through reporting, our community partnerships, and through Crime Stoppers." Carlucci said Project Decoy resulted in 38 arrests — 17 of the accused are from outside of Thunder Bay — and a total of 215 charges. Project Decoy also saw police seize more than $750,000 in drugs, about $160,000 in cash, three handguns, one shotgun, and one vehicle. Project Incognito, meanwhile, was a five-week investigation which Carlucci said was a "spinoff" of Project Decoy, that "resulted in seven people being arrested, four local residents, and three non-local residents." Project Incognito led to the seizure of more than $350,000 in drugs, three firearms (two of which were handguns), and two vehicles, Carlucci said. "I think it definitely highlights the demand of illicit drugs," he said. "Both these investigations span over nine weeks, so if you look, we're seeing over a million dollars worth of drugs in a very short period of time, not to mention seven firearms as well, which I think speaks to the level of violence that is present in this area." All of the accused have appeared in court, police said. Police acting Det. Insp. Robert Gombola said the two investigations were led by the Thunder Bay police intelligence unit. "The successful completion of these investigations were made possible through the support of the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, and funding through the Ontario government Ministry of the Solicitor General," he said.
CBC
07-03-2025
- CBC
Hamilton woman still wants accountability after inquest into brother's 2017 death in jail
Social Sharing The sister of a 34-year-old man who died in the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre nearly eight years ago says the team who conducted the inquest was "fabulous," but she's frustrated she wasn't able to hold anyone accountable through the process. Amy McKechnie, whose brother, Ryan McKechnie, died on June 29, 2017, said it was also a "kick in the face" that it took nearly eight years to hold the coroner's probe. Ryan accidentally died of combined fentanyl, methamphetamine and amphetamine intoxication, the inquest jury found in February. But coroner's inquests aren't tasked with assigning blame or make findings of guilt or innocence, something Amy found frustrating since she believes the jail could have taken steps to prevent his death. "We're going to prevent future deaths hopefully, but what about my loved one?" Amy said in an interview with CBC Hamilton. Amy believes jail staff erred in putting Ryan in a cell with another inmate after guards found contraband in the cell they were sharing. She said a body scan of the other inmate showed anomalies, suggesting he had ingested packages of drugs. The next morning, Ryan didn't wake up for breakfast and his cellmate called for help. Amy said people who worked as corrections staff at the time testified at the inquest. She said one witness told the jury he would have done things differently looking back. None of the other workers said they'd change their actions, she said, adding she found that "disgusting." Since Ryan was incarcerated, an inquest into his death was mandatory under Ontario's Coroners Act. During such procedures, lawyers for the coroner's and parties, including family members of the deceased, ask questions of witnesses — they can include eyewitnesses, experts, and institutional workers and officials. Inquest juries may make recommendations aimed at preventing future, similar deaths. The jury in Ryan's inquest issued 18, most of them focused on the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which oversees corrections. They include: Updating staff training concerning how to interpret body scans for contraband with the understanding that a negative scan is not a guarantee someone is free of contraband. Considering an audit of the efficacy of detecting contraband through current scan protocols. Funding trauma-informed supports for families following the death of a loved one in custody. Clarifying staff should identify signs of life when they routinely check on inmates. In December, a weeks-long inquest for six men who died at the Hamilton jail between 2017 and 2021 led to 55 recommendations. They included developing a plan to offer a safe drug supply within the institution, ensuring inmates won't be penalized for reporting overdoses and improving access to treatment for substance use disorder. Ryan's death was originally going to be included in that inquest, Amy said, but it was held virtually and she pushed for an in-person proceeding, feeling it would be more "humane." On her request, Ryan's inquest was in person. The coroner's office held it in Toronto. Amy said she followed the fall inquest and she attended one in 2018 that examined eight deaths at the detention centre between 2012 and 2016. It resulted in 65 recommendations, but close to half of them haven't been put into force, the fall inquest heard. Recommendations by inquest juries are non-binding — another thing Amy said she wishes would change. I refuse to let my brother's death be in vain. - Amy McKechnie For Amy, one of the key recommendations in Ryan's inquest is that the ministry fund support for families of inmates who die. She said she received little, if any, support after she learned through a friend that Ryan had died and then went to the jail to confirm it. In a brutal coincidence, she said, her dad died the same day. "I don't think I ever grieved for them. I just kept on going." In addition to support back then, Amy said, she would have appreciated financial assistance throughout the inquest. She said she represented herself instead of hiring a lawyer because she couldn't afford one and had to pay for her own accommodations to stay in Toronto. On its website, the Office of the Chief Coroner says it offers two programs that can help families cover legal fees. The office also works with police to provide support for families at the time of death, explain the investigation process and prepare them for an inquest, Stephanie Rea, a spokesperson for the coroner's office, said in an email. Rea said the office also has a liaison to work with families and connect them to other support systems. "The inquest process can be a very challenging time for families, so we also permit them to rely upon the assistance of their familial or community supports during the hearing itself to the greatest extent possible, while still maintaining the necessary integrity of the inquest process." Amy said she also hopes the ministry and the Hamilton jail implement the recommendations around body scanners and checks. She said a more careful scan could have prevented her brother from getting drugs, and guards checking for signs of life at night may have learned Ryan needed help before it was too late. Call for better education, reintegration help for inmates Going forward, Amy said, she also wants the ministry to implement better education and help for inmates so they can better reintegrate into society after their release. "You can't just lock somebody into a cage, give them nothing and expect it to work," she said. Ryan wasn't just the negative stuff, she said, adding he was an "amazing" brother, "funny beyond funny" and "didn't deserve what he got." Amy said she's also exploring other options to seek accountability for Ryan and other inmates whose family members died in the jail. "I refuse to let my brother's death be in vain."
