B.C. judges to testify at Frank Paul inquiry

A B.C. inquiry into the 1998 death of a New Brunswick man will reconvene Wednesday to hear from three former Crown prosecutors — now judges — about why charges were not laid against police officers in the case.

Frank Paul, a 48-year-old Mi'kmaq, died of exposure and hypothermia in a Vancouver alley on Dec. 6, 1998, after he was dumped there by police even though he was severely intoxicated and wet.

Retired judge William Davies wrapped up the inquiry in March 2009 with a 446-page report that was harshly critical of Vancouver police in Paul's death.

But the inquiry also ended without hearing from the three former Crown lawyers after the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch argued they should not be compelled to explain their decision not to lay charges.

Davies vowed to reconvene the inquiry if the courts ruled the three should defend their decision not to charge any of the officers.

Those legal officials are expected to appear at the inquiry next week after the Supreme Court of Canada refused in April to hear an appeal against the order to testify.