Family applauds delay of Villanueva inquiry

The family of Fredy Villanueva is welcoming a delay in the public inquiry that was to begin in less than two weeks into the death of the Montreal teen shot by a police officer.

The Quebec coroner's office ordered a delay to the Feb. 16 start in order to allow parties more time to prepare for the long-awaited inquiry.

'It is important to get everything out.' — Gunar Dubé, lawyer for Villanueva family

Villanueva family lawyer Gunar Dubé said there are still more than 1,000 pages of evidence that he hasn't seen.

"What is very important here, I think, is for the coroner to be seen by the population to support the family and support the case," said Dubé. "They see that we can't do [the preparatory work] quickly … It is important to get everything out."

Inquiry called after police officers cleared

The Quebec government called the inquiry after two officers involved in the shooting were cleared of any criminal responsibility following an investigation by the Quebec provincial police.

The inquiry, headed by retired Judge Robert Sansfaçon, will look at the causes and circumstances surrounding the August 2008 shooting.

Villanueva, 18, was shot by police after officers tried to arrest his brother during a confrontation in Montreal North. The shooting led to widespread riots in the community.

Sansfaçon will also make recommendations about what lessons can be learned from what happened.

No new date has been set for the start of the inquiry.

Family threat to boycott inquiry still stands

However, members of the Villanueva family aren't entirely satisfied.

The government has only offered to help the Villanueva family pay for a lawyer. Police officers called to testify will also have their legal bills paid for by the state.

No funding is being provided to the families of the other two victims of the shooting who were friends of Fredy Villanueva.

Denis Meas was shot in the arm. Jeffrey Sagor Metellus suffered major internal injuries after a police bullet hit him in the back, piercing his lung and a kidney.

On Friday, Patricia Villanueva repeated her family's threat to boycott the inquiry if financial help isn't distributed equally to the families.

"We have launched an appeal to Premier Jean Charest," said Villanueva, Fredy's sister.

Groups supporting the family's demand have organized a protest for tomorrow in Montreal North.