Craig McDougall inquest ends with apology from judge

The inquest into the fatal police shooting of Craig McDougall ended Friday with an apology from a judge.

"I want to apologize to you for my responsibility," Judge Anne Krahn said to Brian McDougall, Craig's father.

"I am sorry there has been a lack of communication to you and your family."

• Apology owed to Craig McDougall's family, says lawyer

Brian McDougall fell ill near the beginning of the inquest and was unable to testify or sit through the proceedings. However, his doctor gave him permission to attend the inquest's final day.

"I'm really touched by what the judge said at the end of the hearing when she apologized for what happened to me," said McDougall.

"I hope the judge considers the recommendations because I wouldn't want any other families to go through what I went through."

His 26-year-old son was shot and killed by police on Aug. 2, 2008 outside his father's Simcoe Street home.

The inquest heard that a 911 call was made from Craig McDougall's cellphone reporting a stabbing. It was later revealed there was no stabbing.

Seconds after police arrived they spotted McDougall with a knife, which the officers testified he refused to drop. One officer attempted to incapacitate him with a Taser and when that failed, another officer fired four shots.

The whole incident unfolded in less than 100 seconds, the inquest heard.

"I'm really glad that the inquest is over and I finally have some answers. I know there is still a lot of healing to go through," said Brian McDougall.

Recommendations for change

The three lawyers involved in the inquest made their final submissions and gave recommendations for the judge to consider as she writes her inquest report.

Crown counsel David Gray recommended police officers wear body cameras.

"There was a great deal of controversy if Mr. McDougall was carrying a knife," said Gray.

"My suggestion is that photographic or video evidence would end that."

• Private investigator questions claim that man shot by police had a knife

Corey Shefman, who represented the McDougall family, made the same recommendation.

But Winnipeg Police Service lawyer Kimberly Carswell countered the suggestion, saying "It's not going to affect or change or reduce deaths of similar circumstances."

In the end, Carswell made no recommendations on behalf of the WPS, but did agree with Gray and Shefman that the inquest process itself needs to be reviewed.

Both lawyers said that recommendation stemmed from the numerous delays, involving several agencies, in launching the inquest.

"I think it is important to recognize that while no one is being assigned blame here, everyone needs to take some responsibility in making sure it doesn't happen again," said Shefman.

Shefman made close to 30 recommendations ranging from apologies to the McDougall family to better training on implicit bias and systemic racism.

• 'Why are these people in handcuffs?': Systemic racism behind treatment of McDougall's family, expert says

"I'm hoping that there is a recognition that systemic racism did play a factor in the events," Shefman said.

At the end of the inquest, Judge Krahn joked about being the only person involved in the inquest process with a deadline. She has up to six months to write her report. 

She told Brian McDougall he's waited long enough, and said her report will be done before the deadline.