SIU says no evidence police caused a man's death at EMDC
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has terminated an investigation into the death of a man in custody last month saying there is "no evidence" police caused the death.
Thirty-two-year-old Brandon Marchant had been found unresponsive in his cell last month and died in hospital.
On July 1, first responders were called to a violent single-vehicle motor crash at the Woodstock OnRoute Service Centre on Highway 401 in Oxford County.
Marchant was one of the occupants of the vehicle. Shortly after the crash, he had removed bags from the site of the wreckage and fled on foot, but was located a short time later, taken into custody and transported to the hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash.
That same day, OPP contacted the SIU to report that a man they had arrested had been admitted to hospital and the SIU initiated an investigation.
Marchant was released from the hospital the following day to the custody of Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) staff.
The following morning, guards discovered him without any vital signs in his cell. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced deceased on July 6.
His cause of death has not been released at this time.
The SIU says based on preliminary inquiries, Director Joseph Martino "determined there was patently nothing to investigate in relation to the potential criminal liability of any police officer in connection to the death" and has discontinued the investigation.
The death of Marchant sparked protests outside of EMDC in early July. His was the latest death connected to the institution. Since 2009 there have been 19 deaths associated with EMDC.
Marchant was a former amateur MMA fighter also known as 'Bam Bam.'
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
NEW How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
Barbie will make dolls to honour Venus Williams, Christine Sinclair and other athletes
Barbie dolls will honour Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair and tennis champion Venus Williams, plus seven other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday.
Ontario mother loses $2,500 to text scammer pretending to be daughter
An Ontario mother lost $2,500 to a scammer pretending to be her daughter asking for help in late April.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.