Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Katelynn Sampson Inquest Weighs Whether To Include Cop Reports About Her Guardians

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Nov, 2015 11:22 AM
    TORONTO — A coroner's inquest into the death of a seven-year-old Toronto girl killed by her guardians is weighing whether to include police reports involving the couple as evidence.
     
    Police on Friday turned over nearly 1,000 pages of documents detailing past interactions with Donna Irving and Warren Johnson, including domestic incidents during their relationship and with previous partners.
     
    The documents were requested in a notice of motion filed last week by the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, which argued the reports provide crucial information that will help understand the circumstances that led to Katelynn Sampson's death in 2008.
     
    The advocate's lawyer, Freya Kristjanson, now says only a few records — four involving Irving in a household where children were present, and more than a dozen involving the pair in a household without children — need to be included in the proceedings.
     
    Most parties expressed some support for the motion, although some raised concerns that including the reports would lengthen the inquest or broaden it beyond its original scope.
     
    The inquest has heard that two child welfare organizations — the Children's Aid Society of Toronto and Native Child and Family Services — were contacted about Katelynn or had dealings with her guardians while she was living with them.
     
    Katelynn's mother, Bernice Sampson, was addicted to crack and gave her daughter to Irving and Johnson in a misguided attempt to give Katelynn a better life. Sampson's other children had already become wards of the Crown and she did not want to lose access to Katelynn in the same way.
     
    It was later revealed that a judge granted custody to Irving despite her criminal convictions for prostitution, drugs and violence. Johnson also had several convictions.
     
    Katelynn was beaten for months and died from septic shock on Aug. 3, 2008.
     
    The couple pleaded guilty three years ago of second-degree murder in the girl's death and were sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years.
     
    The Children's Aid Society is expected to testify at the inquest later Tuesday.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Feds, Junior League, Tribes Fight Sex Traffickers In SD: 'Catching Awful Lot Of Them'

    Feds, Junior League, Tribes Fight Sex Traffickers In SD: 'Catching Awful Lot Of Them'
    It was an anonymous two-story house with an outdoor side staircase, nothing that looked ominous to Kevin Koliner when he passed by going to and from work

    Feds, Junior League, Tribes Fight Sex Traffickers In SD: 'Catching Awful Lot Of Them'

    The New Brunswick Government Has Formed A Committee To Handle Incoming Refugees

    The New Brunswick government has formed a committee aimed at facilitating a smooth transition of the Syrian refugees to the province.

    The New Brunswick Government Has Formed A Committee To Handle Incoming Refugees

    Government Says Assisted-Death Panel Won't Give Advice For Legislation

    Government Says Assisted-Death Panel Won't Give Advice For Legislation
    A federal panel created in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on assisted death will no longer be asked to make recommendations to the government and will now simply report on its consultations on the issue.

    Government Says Assisted-Death Panel Won't Give Advice For Legislation

    Speed A Factor In Crash That Killed 68-Year-Old Man On Oak Street: Vancouver Police

    Speed A Factor In Crash That Killed 68-Year-Old Man On Oak Street: Vancouver Police
    Vancouver police say speed is likely a factor in a crash that killed one man and sent another to hospital on Saturday.

    Speed A Factor In Crash That Killed 68-Year-Old Man On Oak Street: Vancouver Police

    Suspicious Package Prompts Evacuation Of Airport In Northern Alberta

    Suspicious Package Prompts Evacuation Of Airport In Northern Alberta
    The airport in Fort McMurray, Alta., has resumed normal operations after being evacuated Friday night because of a suspicious package.

    Suspicious Package Prompts Evacuation Of Airport In Northern Alberta

    Canadian Entrepreneurs Turning To Equity Crowdfunding As Provinces Loosen Rules

    Canadian Entrepreneurs Turning To Equity Crowdfunding As Provinces Loosen Rules
    When long-time ad agency executive Jillian Bowman needed capital to start a small business, she didn't find an angel investor — she found a crowd.

    Canadian Entrepreneurs Turning To Equity Crowdfunding As Provinces Loosen Rules