Coroner's Inquest Set

The Coroner’s inquest into the death of Albert William Nemechek will take place on Wednesday.

On October 28, 2004, Nemechek was taken into custody by Penticton RCMP under the authority of the Liquor Control Act.

He was assessed and cleared by the BC Ambulance Service but went into cardiac arrest while in a police car. He was then transferred via ambulance to Penticton Regional Hospital where, despite medical treatment, he died November 7, 2004.

The inquest is scheduled for April 11 – 13. Presiding coroner T.E. Chico Newell and a five-person jury will publicly hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses in order to determine the facts surrounding the death.

The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.

An inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows for public presentation of all evidence relating to a death. The BC Coroners Service is an independent fact-finding agency that may not make any finding of legal responsibility.