Cops did best in Fontaine case: chief

The chief of police in Winnipeg says the force did its best to investigate the death of a 15-year-old girl whose body was pulled from the Red River.

Danny Smyth told the city’s police services board Friday that he was disappointed a jury last week acquitted the man accused of killing Tina Fontaine in 2014.

“Frankly, we did our best on this one,” Smyth said.

Raymond Cormier was found not guilty of second-degree murder in Tina’s death. Her body was wrapped in a duvet cover and weighed down with rocks when it was found in the Red River days after she was reported missing.

Smyth told the board he “certainly had hoped for a different outcome” but added that it was clear the jury didn’t find enough evidence to convict.

“I wish we could have brought forward additional or more compelling evidence,” he said.

Smyth commended the officers who he said worked hard on the case and thanked prosecutors for taking it to trial.

“If not anything else, this trial provided transparency,” Smyth said. “The community was able to learn about the investigation. They were able to see evidence and learn about the circumstances that led up to Tina’s death.”

He suggested that one positive outcome prompted by Tina’s death is that Manitoba no longer uses hotels to house children in care.

It’s not known how Tina died.