Public Hearing Delayed Amid Controversy Over Obscene Remark
The long-awaited public hearing regarding the police-involved death of Myles Gray in Vancouver faced potential major delays as the counsel resigned following an offensive remark caught on a hot microphone. Brad Hickford’s lawyer, Richard Neary, expressed deep regret over the incident, which has put the proceedings at risk.
Hickford, now under investigation by the Law Society of B.C., expressed his dismay over the offensive recording and its impact on the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, leading to his decision to step down as duty counsel for the public hearing.
Adjudicator Elizabeth Arnold-Bailey addressed the situation, acknowledging the seriousness of the remark and the potential consequences for the hearing’s timeline. With uncertainties surrounding the remark’s origin, she urged all parties involved to move past the issue and focus on continuing the proceedings.
The abrupt resignation of Hickford and the ensuing controversy have cast a shadow over the public hearing, raising concerns about possible adjournments and significant delays in the process.
Keyphrase: public hearing delay