Quebec coroner orders public inquiry into death of Nicous D’Andre Spring at Bordeaux jail

The Chief Coroner of Quebec has ordered a public inquiry into the death of Nicous D’Andre Spring.

The 21-year-old inmate died after sustaining injuries at Bordeaux Prison in Montreal was reportedly pepper sprayed by correctional officers.

La coroner annonce que son enquête sera désormais publique. Cette étape supplémentaire offre une transparence afin d’assurer la confiance du public en nos institutions carcérales. Je m’assurerai que le ministère prenne toutes les actions pour éviter une telle situation à l’avenir https://t.co/nWIRO5TUDw

— François Bonnardel (@fbonnardelCAQ) January 17, 2023

The Public Security Ministry has confirmed Spring, who was illegally detained at the jail, died the day after a physical intervention there on Dec. 24. He should have been set free the previous day.

“He was my mother’s only son – her boy child who she carried in her womb for nine months – who would carry on our legacy and he has been taken away from us, wrongfully,” said Sarafina Dennie, Nicous D’Andre Spring’s older sister in a statement.

“Nicous had a passion for music and boxing. He learned boxing at the Teenzone in NDG and they too have suffered a loss, the youth workers who knew him, all the young people who hung out with him, they are grieving their brother and friend who is now gone,” the statement continued.

“Nicous also loved music, a skill he developed at Westhaven Community Centre and the REC in NDG. He was always in the studio and as he says in his song, he is the voice of the streets. ‘The streets’ to our community refers to the people who came from nothing to something, leaving a small island in the West Indies called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to come to this country to build a better life. This dream never came true. Nicous was robbed from all of his potential at only 21 years old. This is devastating.”

RELATED:

• Inmate who died at Bordeaux jail was pepper sprayed by guards: report
• Man who died after being injured in Bordeaux jail was being illegally detained
• Inquiry demanded into Bordeaux jail death after guards used pepper spray

The public inquiry will look to shed light on the cause and the events surrounding Spring’s death.

Julie-Kim Godin has been appointed as the coroner who will preside over the inquiry and will be assisted by a prosecutor who will be appointed at a later date.

Details of the inquiry and dates for hearings will also be announced at a later date.