New evidence halts inquest into Saskatchewan freezing death

Last Updated: Thursday, January 24, 2002 | 8:52 AM ET

CBC News

An inquest into the mysterious freezing death of an aboriginal man came to an abrupt halt Wednesday, when new information in the case suddenly surfaced.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations spokesperson Darcy Mackenzie said Wednesday two men claim to have witnessed Lawrence Wegner being put into a police cruiser shortly before he was found frozen to death – wearing only jeans, a T-shirt and socks – south of Saskatoon two winters ago.

The revelations caused Chief Coroner Hugh Harradence to suspend the inquest into Wegner's death for two weeks, while RCMP officers investigate the new statements.

Lawrence Wegner

Both the FSIN and the RCMP have been investigating the freezing deaths of several aboriginal men on the outskirts of Saskatoon, and allegations of mistreatment at the hands of Saskatoon police.

The inquest into Wegner's death was ordered after an RCMP probe showed there wasn't enough evidence to lay charges. An inquest into the freezing death of another aboriginal man, Rodney Naistus, led to several recommendations that were critical of police, even though there was never any evidence of police involvement in his death.

And two police officers were convicted last year of dumping a third aboriginal man, Darrell Night, in the area where Wegner was found. Night survived, and is suing the two former officers.

Field where body was found

Mackenzie said the new witnesses were friends of Wegner's, who turned up during the federation's own investigation into his death. The information has been passed on to the RCMP, he said.

Greg Curtis, the lawyer for Wegner's family, said it was appropriate that the inquest be suspended while the new information is checked out. "It has to be investigated now, before we go any further," Curtis said.

The inquest was about to hear from several police witnesses when proceedings were halted Wednesday.