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
Canada to launch 'national action plan' to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Jury finds Andrei Donet guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Montreal teen
A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Montreal teenager Jannai Dopwell-Bailey outside his school in 2021.