The following statement was released

by the Dawson family

November 29^th, 2000

The Death of Anthany James Dawson

August 11, 1999

The inquest for Anthany James Dawson has shown many, many flaws to the level of care and assistance Anthany received. It also showed serious irreversible damage to Anthany on the day he needed medical assistance, August 11, 1999. He was killed.

Witnesses say when Anthany was running down Oak Bay Avenue, he was clearly moaning in despair and clutching his head. He was in a "fight or flight" panic mode as he did not know what was happening to his body. He needed medical assistance.

A witness stated that a Victoria City Police man came up to Anthany and yelled at Anthany "Roll Over, Roll Over, Roll Over; When I tell you to roll over, you fucking well roll over." Other witnesses state that Anthany was punched in the head area two – four times and put in a head lock. Witnesses seen a large man assist the police man and they saw him use his large body weight to pin Anthany to the ground.

Witnesses seen Anthany in handcuffs face down on the road and he was placed on a stretcher while still face down and he was no longer moving. There is great concern to the amount of time that passed before the Anthany was checked while he was in the ambulance.

All this, to a young man who was clearly in pain and holding his head, moaning and groaning and probably hyperventilating by the extreme panic he must have been in. It is unclear as to whether or not he knew these people at the scene as no one identified themselves to him, other than to order him to roll over and to swear at him. The only people who tried to talk to Anthany in a calm manner were several witnesses who initially approached him, after that he was on his own.

While on the stretcher, restraint straps were used that may have been far too tight for someone placed face down and already requiring much more oxygen than normal.

We aren’t sure when his heart stopped beating as it was only noticed when the ambulance attendant checked him in the ambulance. He was rolled over onto his back on the stretcher and CPR was "carried out". CPR was carried out while Anthany’s wrists were still handcuffed behind his back! This was done by people who claimed to be trained in CPR. Can anyone see the necessity of having someone handcuffed behind their backs while CPR is being conducted? Does this not impede the breathing process of a normal person, and would it not seriously impede restarting the heart of someone who was no longer breathing and without a pulse?

My nephew never stood a chance.

Throughout testimony no policeman has admitted that the handcuffs were theirs.

No policeman took any notes in their standard issue note books despite the fact that they were informed of the severity of Anthany’s injuries and that he had died.

The "Will Says", or written statements, that the police submitted to their own detectives are extremely vague and they claim that they were never asked for more information!

No policeman ever agreed to be interviewed by the RCMP Investigation team.

Yet we are told that the actions leading to Anthany’s death were carefully reviewed and that no excessive force was used. How can this have been done, if no police officer agreed to an interview?

This whole process is an exercise for the police to "COVER THEIR TRACKS".

Many, many times the police have stated that they do not remember vital portions of that fateful day Anthany was killed. Yet they clearly remember other aspects of the day.

COVER UP? …ABSOLUTELY

The bruises on Anthany’s body are part of the visual evidence of the amount of force that was used. The witnesses also confirm what happened.

Yet we spend days listening to the police excuses.

Constable Sheldan has sat through and listened to all of the witnesses statements prior to him making his own statements. Is this right?

Constable Sheldan submitted on unsigned, undated, short statement as his "Will Say" and refused to be interviewed by the RCMP Investigation Team. Is this right?

How can we find out what happened if the police have selective memories? Thank goodness there are some witnesses or this death would have been swept under the carpet in the usual manner.

How can a Healing Ceremony be carried out amongst these men while their only concern is to cover up their actions?

How honest and repentful is that?

It’s like having dinner with the Devil….and Healing Ceremonies are not designed for that.

The police are covering up their actions.

Anthany is dead.

And we will not stop.

We can only continue to hope and pray that no person or family will have to experience this again.

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CONTACTS:

Yvon Gesinghaus Nancy Dawson

Cell: 250-974-8183 Tel: 250-598-5324