Police Shooting Inquest Legal Fund
Donation protected
On August 2nd, 2008, Craig McDougall, a young man from Wasagamack First Nation in Northern Manitoba was shot and killed by Winnipeg Police officers, after a confrontation in front of his father's Winnipeg home.
To learn more about Craig, and the struggle the McDougall family has faced, watch APTN's 20 minute report on the case. Where you'll also learn that Craig McDougall was the nephew of famous Indigenous rights activist JJ Harper, who was also killed by police. (http://www.aptn.ca/news/2015/11/28/aptn-investigates-the-cops-are-here/)
It has taken 8 years, but now, on the eighth anniversary of the week Craig was killed, the mandatory inquest into his death is set to begin on August 7th, 2016. The Inquest is a 4-5 week court hearing, with a Provincial Court Judge, who will hear evidence from family members, witnesses, the police, and experts on use of force and structural racism.
The Inquest will determine when, where and by what means Craig died, and the material circumstances of his death. The Inquest may also recommend changes to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths in the future.
For the first time in Manitoba, the Inquest Judge has specifically allowed evidence dealing with the role structural racism played in Craig's death, to be part of the Inquest. (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/craig-mcdougall-inquest-will-consider-systemic-racism-within-winnipeg-police-372503821.html)
Your donation will empower the McDougall family and the family's legal counsel to address issues including structural racism targeting Indigenous peoples, police violence, mental health and the justice system as a whole.
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Why is the inquest important?
The Inquest is important because it is the first (and likely the only) chance for the McDougall family to get answers about Craig's death.
It is also important because it may lead to changes in the way the Winnipeg Police and other government institutions address structural racism, specifically towards Indigenous peoples.
Why do you need our help?
The law firm that is representing the McDougall family is not charging the family any legal fees. Preparing for and participating in a 4-5 week Court hearing, like this one, is time consuming and expensive (it can cost up to $100,000!). We want to ensure that they are able to secure the most qualified experts, and devote the time needed to make the Inquest a success.
Where does my donation go?
Your donation will be received on behalf of the McDougall family by Bob Norton, a private investigator who has worked with the McDougall family and their legal counsel for the past 8 years.
Once received, 100% of your donation will go to paying the costs associated with the family’s representation at the Inquest. In order of priority, your donation will go to:
1) Pay an honorarium to an expert witness hired on systemic racism who was hired by the family to testify at the Inquest, and to pay an honorarium to the private investigator who investigated the shooting for the family.
2) Reimburse the expenses which legal counsel has paid out of their own pocket (disbursements) such as printing, travel and transcript costs.
3) Compensate legal counsel for some of the nearly 300 hours that they will be donating to the McDougall family’s representation.
As a donor, do I get to instruct the lawyer or get confidential information?
No. Your donation does not create any legal relationship between you and the law firm. However, the law firm representing the McDougall family has agreed to provide donors with weekly updates each week the Inquest is sitting in August
To learn more about Craig, and the struggle the McDougall family has faced, watch APTN's 20 minute report on the case. Where you'll also learn that Craig McDougall was the nephew of famous Indigenous rights activist JJ Harper, who was also killed by police. (http://www.aptn.ca/news/2015/11/28/aptn-investigates-the-cops-are-here/)
It has taken 8 years, but now, on the eighth anniversary of the week Craig was killed, the mandatory inquest into his death is set to begin on August 7th, 2016. The Inquest is a 4-5 week court hearing, with a Provincial Court Judge, who will hear evidence from family members, witnesses, the police, and experts on use of force and structural racism.
The Inquest will determine when, where and by what means Craig died, and the material circumstances of his death. The Inquest may also recommend changes to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths in the future.
For the first time in Manitoba, the Inquest Judge has specifically allowed evidence dealing with the role structural racism played in Craig's death, to be part of the Inquest. (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/craig-mcdougall-inquest-will-consider-systemic-racism-within-winnipeg-police-372503821.html)
Your donation will empower the McDougall family and the family's legal counsel to address issues including structural racism targeting Indigenous peoples, police violence, mental health and the justice system as a whole.
------
Why is the inquest important?
The Inquest is important because it is the first (and likely the only) chance for the McDougall family to get answers about Craig's death.
It is also important because it may lead to changes in the way the Winnipeg Police and other government institutions address structural racism, specifically towards Indigenous peoples.
Why do you need our help?
The law firm that is representing the McDougall family is not charging the family any legal fees. Preparing for and participating in a 4-5 week Court hearing, like this one, is time consuming and expensive (it can cost up to $100,000!). We want to ensure that they are able to secure the most qualified experts, and devote the time needed to make the Inquest a success.
Where does my donation go?
Your donation will be received on behalf of the McDougall family by Bob Norton, a private investigator who has worked with the McDougall family and their legal counsel for the past 8 years.
Once received, 100% of your donation will go to paying the costs associated with the family’s representation at the Inquest. In order of priority, your donation will go to:
1) Pay an honorarium to an expert witness hired on systemic racism who was hired by the family to testify at the Inquest, and to pay an honorarium to the private investigator who investigated the shooting for the family.
2) Reimburse the expenses which legal counsel has paid out of their own pocket (disbursements) such as printing, travel and transcript costs.
3) Compensate legal counsel for some of the nearly 300 hours that they will be donating to the McDougall family’s representation.
As a donor, do I get to instruct the lawyer or get confidential information?
No. Your donation does not create any legal relationship between you and the law firm. However, the law firm representing the McDougall family has agreed to provide donors with weekly updates each week the Inquest is sitting in August
Organizer
Bob Norton
Organizer
Winnipeg, MB
