March 24, 2000
(Justice)

Minister announces judicial inquiry into death of Shawn Howse

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Kelvin Parsons announced today that there will be a judicial inquiry into the death of Shawn Howse. Mr. Howse died while he was a resident at the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Centre on February 28, 1999.

In his report to the minister, Dr. Simon Avis, the province�s chief medical examiner, concluded that the death of the 15-year-old "was not foreseeable or preventable". His investigation into the incident included a review of the judicial inquiry into the death of Eugene Rose, submitted last year by Judge Gerald Barnable.

Notwithstanding his conclusion that neither the actions nor inactions of other people were involved with the death, Dr. Avis recommended a judicial inquiry "for the purpose of airing publicly the circumstances surrounding the death and maintaining public confidence in the judicial system."

Minister Parsons said that in accordance with this recommendation, he has asked the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court to arrange for an inquiry under the provisions of the Fatalities Investigation Act.

Media contact: Lynn Barter, Communications, (709) 729-0084.

2000 03 24                         3:30 p.m.