Police shooting subject of inquest
Mentally ill Windsor man shot, killed last year in confrontation
An inquest will be held into the death of a Windsor man who was fatally shot by police last year, confirms the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario.
Matthew Mahoney, 33, died on the morning of March 21, 2018, after he sustained seven gunshot wounds outside the downtown McDonald’s restaurant.
Last month, the province’s Special Investigations Unit announced it had finished its examination of the incident and found no wrongdoing by Windsor police. Cheryl Mahyr, a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Coroner, said Tuesday that an inquest could not have been confirmed until all other investigations were concluded. “We do not conduct inquests if there are any outstanding charges or pending prosecutions in relation to a death.” Mahyr said it usually takes two years from the date of death before a coroner’s inquest is underway. “It will be some time until this inquest is scheduled to begin,” Mahyr said.
But she added that “every inquest is different, because every death investigation is different.” Coroner’s inquests are public hearings, conducted before a jury of five community members. The coroner is usually represented by a Crown attorney.
This inquest will be held in the Windsor area.
Mahyr said the purpose of the proceedings will be to “generate recommendations that, if implemented, may prevent future deaths in similar circumstances.” “It is to enhance public safety.” Mahoney had a history of mental illness, including schizophrenia and paranoid delusions.
At the time of the shooting, he was armed with a steak knife and had attacked two Windsor police officers, cutting one of them on the hand. The officers had tried to incapacitate Mahoney with a Taser device, but it was ineffective. Witnesses said Mahoney was closing on an officer and continuing to slash just before he was shot. Mahoney’s family has been vocal about the need for an inquest.
Michael Mahoney, Matthew’s brother, said Tuesday he feels that an examination of the mental health care system is the most important place to start, but he’s open to the process exploring in different directions as well. “We’ve been calling for an inquest since the day the incident happened.
“This is a step in the right direction,” Michael said.
“It’s just the beginning of a long
and painful process. If we don’t ask these questions, then these incidents are going to keep happening. This was preventable, and an inquest will hopefully find some answers.”
Persons with a direct interest in the inquest, such as those who may be affected by its recommendations, can apply for standing to participate in the proceedings. Mahyr said Mahoney’s immediate family members would be welcome to apply for standing.
“I can tell you that they would get standing,” Mahyr said. “They would be able to actively participate in the inquest. They would be able to call witnesses, examine witnesses, address the jury, and bring forth topics for examination.” Mahyr said Mahoney’s family can also choose to simply observe the proceedings — as can any member of the public. Michael said he’ll definitely be applying for standing.
“In my mind, if Matt had been
receiving the health care he needed — not just the health care we’re able to provide currently, within the bounds of the system we have today — he’d still be with us.” “Those officers would not have had to make the decision they made. And none of this would be happening.”