The BC Coroners Service has announced the dates of a public inquest into the death of Jeremy Michael Phillips.

The inquest will take place Oct. 29 - Nov. 1, 2012 at the Coroner's Courtroom in Burnaby.

Mr. Phillips, aged 33, was found dead in his cell at Mountain federal penitentiary in Agassiz on the morning of November 22, 2010. In November 2011, another inmate at the penitentiary, Michael Wayne McGray, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Mr. Phillips.

Although legislation no longer makes it mandatory for the BC Coroners Service to hold an inquest into all deaths of persons in custody, in this case the Chief Coroner has determined that issues which have been raised surrounding the safety of inmates in the prison system can best be explored through the inquest process.

Presiding coroner Vincent Stancato and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death. While the jury may not, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, it will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.

An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death.

Date: Oct. 29 - Nov. 1, 2012

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Place: Coroner's Court, 2035-4720 Kingsway, Burnaby

For further information, please contact:

Barbara McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250-356-9253