An unreleased video of Clayton Alvin Willey’s 2003 in custody death would stir Dziekanski-like public outrage, say advocates.
The Aboriginal man was arrested by Prince George RCMP after a drug-fueled episode at a shopping centre.
Over the course of the incident, the officers restrained Willey by his hands and feet, effectively hog-tying him.
In that prone position, he was jolted with a Taser multiple times as officers dragged Willey’s body to the RCMP detachment, B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs claim after recently viewing RCMP footage of the incident.
The two groups now want the video released to the public – which they say will spark a reaction similar to Robert Dziekanski’s death at Vancouver International Airport.
“It was sickening. It was very, very difficult to watch,” said Grand Chief Stewart Philip. “In many ways, it was worse than watching the Dziekanski video because he was so hog-tied. He was incapable of doing anything. It appears they were simply trying to shut him up with the Taser.”
Willey died on his way to hospital from the RCMP Detachment.
The Coroner’s Service ruled his cause of death as a cocaine overdose.
BCCLA executive director David Eby said the officers involved were never punished, and are still on duty despite the fact a judge accused them of destroying video evidence in another Taser-related incident.
