The judge of an inquiry into the drowning of a refugee fleeing from Edmonton police has ruled against the family's attempt to adjourn the proceedings so they could bring in a lawyer.

Officers chased Charles Wula, 38, from his wife's apartment to the North Saskatchewan River on July 27, 2005. His body was found a week later.

A three-day fatality inquiry into his death is being held in an Edmonton provincial court and will wrap up Friday.

Jim Gurnett, director of the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, says Wula's widow Rose Jiwan speaks little English and doesn't understand what's going on.

"The importance of her really being able to understand and then be able to participate is one issue," he said.

"The other issue is that all the other parties involved, the Crown and the police service, had highly skilled legal representation. The family had no legal support at all. They were just basically trying to wing it on their own."

Judge James Wheatley said Wednesday there was ample notification about the inquiry before it began, including a pre-inquiry hearing. He ruled the family's lawyer could examine printed transcripts of testimony and call witnesses back if needed.

Husband under a restraining order

Wula had been living in Edmonton for only a few months when police were dispatched to Jiwan's home near Rundle Park to answer a call of a family dispute with violence.

Wula was under a restraining order preventing him from contacting Jiwan, an order which dated back more than a year to their time together in a Ugandan refugee camp.

After realizing police were after him, Wula ran to the river with officers and a police dog in pursuit.

Const. Scott Abbot testified Wednesday that he ran along the bank for up to 45 minutes trying to convince Wula to give up. He didn't seem to be in danger.

Abbot testified the chase only ended when he lost sight of Wula, who was alive and floating down the river.