Daughter speaks out after Mounties charged in death of Indigenous man in Prince George
CTV News has learned that four of five RCMP officers facing charges in the death of an Indigenous man during an arrest in Prince George are still on active duty.
35-year-old Dale Culver went into medical distress after being tackled to the ground and pepper-sprayed by officers as he exited a store in July of 2017.
Grainy cell phone video shot in the dark by witnesses shows several people in a scuffle on the ground as more RCMP vehicles arrive with their lights and sirens activated.
After Culver complained of shortness of breath when placed in an RCMP cruiser, paramedics were called, but he would die in hospital a short time later.
"We see these continued occurrences in Canada where racialized people, especially First Nations people, get killed or harmed in grievous ways,” said Meghan McDermott of the BC Civil Liberties Association.
More than five and a half years after Culver lost his life that night in Prince George, two Mounties have been charged with manslaughter and three others face charges of attempting to obstruct justice for allegedly trying to delete cell phone video shot by witnesses.
Lily Speed-Namox, Culver’s oldest daughter, was 14 at the time of her father’s death.
The now-20-year-old carries some of her father’s cremated ashes in a necklace around her neck.
"I literally and figuratively carry him in my heart,” Speed-Namox said. "So, part of him did, I guess, get to see me graduate. It would have been nice to actually have him there, but it was good to know he was there with me in spirit."
While she’s happy to learn of the charges against the officers involved, she is disappointed in the length of time it has taken the justice system to get to this point.
The Independent Investigations Office, B.C.’s civilian body responsible for police oversight, first delivered a report to Crown recommending charges in July of 2019.
"I hope no other family has to wait this long for justice for their family member. In any other circumstances, if the roles were reversed, it wouldn't have taken this long,” Speed-Namox said.
Culver’s son was four years old at the time of his death, and his youngest daughter was just six months old.
Speed-Namox is grateful for the cherished memories of her father that she carries with her, but devastated for her younger siblings.
"It's sad that I won't be able to have any of those anymore,” she said. “And my little sister will never get to experience that and my little brother probably won't remember any experiences he did have like that."
Constables Paul Ste-Marie and Jean Francois Monette are charged with manslaughter.
Constables Arthur Dalman and Clarence MacDonald, along with Sgt. Bayani Cruz, stand accused of attempting to obstruct justice.
BC RCMP says Macdonald is on administrative leave for reasons unrelated to the events surrounding Culver’s death and the other four continue to serve in operational active duty roles.
“Their duty status is subject to continuous assessment,” BC RCMP said in a statement. “The RCMP is also seeking to obtain additional information in order to inform our internal processes."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.