Coroner’s inquest into Slocan man’s death set to begin nearly seven years later

NELSON (NEWS 1130) —  A delayed coroner’s inquest into the police-involved death of a man in southeastern B.C. will finally begin Monday morning.

Peter John De Groot was killed after a manhunt and standoff in October 2014 near Slocan. According to police, the man and officers exchanged gunfire before he disappeared into the woods.

Four days later, RCMP officers found the 45-year-old in a cabin. He was shot and killed during what was referred to an “altercation.”

At the time, Mounties said an officer shot de Groot after he pointed a rifle at them. His family has said police overreacted and have been calling for justice.

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The inquest is scheduled to begin on Sept. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Nelson Courthouse. It was originally scheduled for May 19, 2020, at the Rossland Courthouse, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under Section 18(2) of the Coroners Act, inquests are mandatory for any deaths that occur while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.

“Margaret Janzen, presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding this death. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances. A jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law,” a release on the inquest said.

The inquest is open to the public but due to the pandemic space will be limited.

A civil lawsuit filed by the de Groot family against the RCMP has been put on hold until after the inquest is finished.

With files from Mike Lloyd