Inquest looking into the death of an inmate at Sudbury jail

A coroner’s inquest began on Monday, examining the circumstances behind the death of an inmate at Sudbury’s jail four years ago.

A coroner’s inquest began on Monday, examining the circumstances behind the death of an inmate at the Sudbury Jail four years ago.

Justin Alexander Trudeau, 44, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, was found unresponsive in his cell in the early morning hours on February 13, 2021.

Trudeau had only been incarcerated for four days of his 30-day sentence.

Online inquest

The inquest is being presided over by Dr. Ronald Goldstein and will be held online exclusively.

The inquest began with an opening prayer and statements from his family members, including his partner and his daughter. It was shared that Trudeau was a devoted father of four who “held his family in high esteem,” and he loved the outdoors.

“For me, my father’s death represents a huge loss,” said Trudeau’s daughter, April Smith.

“This loss is a huge one to carry. I hope this inquest will uncover the truth of what happened to my father.”

During the inquest, Jenna Simpson, inquest counsel to Goldstein, said Trudeau died of natural causes.

The inquest is examining whether the jail’s care protocols and systemic issues played a role, including Trudeau’s Indigenous background.

Didn’t have his inhaler

At the end of the inquest, five jurors will have to answer the five questions surrounding his death and can offer recommendations to prevent something like this from happening again.

Trudeau used an inhaler for breathing difficulties and didn’t have it with him when he was arrested. The night before he died, he called his mother asking her to bring him his inhaler.

And during initial medical intakes, Trudeau had said he had been hit by a car and had bruising on his ribs and a laceration on his hand as a result.

Testimony, provided by a registered nurse, pointed specifically to “extreme staffing shortages” at the time.

She said she was often the only nurse on hand, and she was sometimes responsible for the care of up to 200 inmates alone, 80 per cent of whom required medications.

The inquest is expected to last eight days and hear from approximately 14 witnesses.