Trevor Grimolfson, 38, died on Oct. 29, 2008. (CBC)

An inquiry into the death if a Manitoba man who was shocked by a police stun gun is set to begin Monday in Edmonton.

Trevor Grimolfson died Oct. 29, 2008 after Edmonton police used a stun gun on him three times to control his erratic behavior.

But it wasn't the use of the device that caused the death of Grimolfson, 38, a tattoo artist originally from Selkirk, Man.

A medical examiner determined he died from "excited delirium" brought on by a large amount of drugs. Grimolfson had taken a potentially lethal combination of ecstasy and ketamine, an animal tranquillizer better known by its street name of special K.

The two Edmonton police officers who were involved in the altercation with Grimolfson were cleared of any criminal charges.

inquests are not court proceedings and do not determine guilt. They only make recommendations as to how to prevent similar incidents from happening.

Bev Grimolfson, Trevor's mother, is in Edmonton to attend the inquiry but is representing her son without a lawyer.

"It's a little nerve racking but I plan on standing up for my son," she said. "I'm his mom, I'm not walking away from this.

"It may look like a gong show because I don't know courtroom etiquette. I've always said I don't know if I'm brave or if I'm stupid but I can't walk away from this. I have to go."

The inquiry is expected to wrap up Thursday.