Standing hearing for inquest into the death of Ashley Smith announced

TORONTO, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - Dr. Andrew McCallum, Chief Coroner for Ontario, today announced that a standing hearing for the inquest into the death of Ashley Smith will be conducted.

Ms. Smith, 19, died on October 19, 2007, while in custody at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener. An inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

The standing hearing will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at the Toronto Coroners Courts, 15 Grosvenor Street.

Dr. Bonita Porter, Deputy Chief Coroner for Inquests, will preside as inquest coroner and Mr. Eric Siebenmorgen, Chief Counsel to the Chief Coroner, will act as coroner's counsel.

Parties who have not already identified their intention to apply for standing are asked to contact Mr. Eric Siebenmorgen at 416-314-4013 or by fax at 416-314-4030 by December 1, 2009.

    
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For further information: Ms. Cheryl Mahyr, Issues Manager, Office of the Chief Coroner, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, [phone]