Ontario Provincial Police closer to getting defibrillator

The lawyer for the family of James Foldi made the same recommendation at the inquest into Mr. Foldi's death, but the recommendation was NOT SUPPORTED by the Niagara Regional Police lawyer, who argued in court that officers are not medical personnel.

So, which is it??

October 27, 2010
By DANIEL PEARCE, QMI Agency

OPP are getting closer to putting defibrillators in detachments across the province in light of the recommendation of an inquest jury, says the head of the Norfolk County detachment.

"We're in discussions now," said Insp. Zvonko Horvat. "We're moving in that direction. It'll happen sooner rather than later."

Two weeks ago, the jury at the inquest into the death of Jeffrey Marreel, a Delhi man who collapsed at the Norfolk detachment after being tasered and later died, urged all police stations to get the devices.

Any decision, said Horvat, will apply across Ontario, not just in Simcoe.

"It is a decision being made corporately with regional staff and the risk management unit in Orillia," he said. "In all likelihood, that recommendation will be implemented . . . It only makes sense we have them."

Recommendations from inquest juries are not mandatory but are usually acted upon.

The inquest, held in Hamilton, heard that Marreel, 36, a known drug user with a long history of arrests, died from cocaine poisoning. In June 2008, police answered a call at the lakeside hamlet of Fisher's Glen where they found Marreel acting erratically. Police used a Taser to try to subdue him. He was taken to the Norfolk detachment in Simcoe and then rushed to hospital after he collapsed. Evidence at the inquest suggested Marreel may have been suffering from what's known as excited delirium, a potentially fatal condition.

As a result, the jury also urged all police forces to consider excited delirium as a "medical emergency" that requires immediate medical intervention and that police be trained to recognize its signs.

The jury made nine recommendations.

Horvat said "training is always good . . . We felt the jury was fair. Th e recommendations are legitimate concerns."

Family absent from Marreel inquest

October 20, 2010
By Barbara Simpson — Delhi News-Record
Posted 12 hours ago


Jeffrey Marreel would become a father. He just wouldn't be alive to experience it.

The 36-year-old Delhi man had a daughter seven months after his death, his mother Margaret said. His now two-year- old daughter is missing out on a father who adored children.

Marreel had a special bond with his two nieces, Margaret recalled. He loved to colour, tickle and wrestle with his sister's children.

Becoming a father may have also been enough for him to kick his cocaine addiction.

"Maybe that would have turned him around," Margaret said. "Who knows?"

This question will remain unanswered. Marreel died in June 2008 after acting erratically in Fisher's Glen. After a weekend cocaine binge, he was discovered chopping a tree and talking to himself by police, a jury at the inquest into his death heard last week.

Marreel was zapped three times with a Taser to no effect. He was taken to the Norfolk OPP detachment in Simcoe where he fell into unconsciousness. Later he died at Norfolk General Hospital.

The use of a Taser was not a factor in his death, testified medical experts last week. Instead Marreel may have been suffering from excited delirium. It is a fatal condition whose symptoms mimic that of cocaine intoxication. Symptoms include agitation, paranoia and unexpected strength.

On Friday, the five-member panel took this condition into consideration, offering suggestions to improve medical care for suspected cases of mental illness and drug abuse.

If paramedics suspect either mental health or drug issues, they must transport the patient immediately for medical care, the jury recommended Friday. Ambulances should also be outfitted with appropriate medication for these incidents and utilize police for medical transportation if the patient cannot be calmed down.

A lack of medical care was offered to her son, Margaret believes. Instead of being taken into the hospital, Marreel was transported to the police detachment.

"That's the mistake they made," she said.

The inquest also heard a defibrillator was not available at the police detachment when Marreel collapsed. The Norfolk detachment still isn't equipped with the device.

In its verdict the jury urged all OPP detachments to be outfitted with an automatic emergency defibrillator. Station personnel should also be trained to utilize the life-saving machine.

While the jury was urged to speak for Jeffrey, the Marreel family was noticeable absent from the inquest. His death has been hard on the family of former tobacco growers.

"It bothers me every day," Margaret said.

Marreel was a naturally hyperactive child, she recalls. A harrowing ordeal, however, changed the behaviour of her then 14-year-old son. The family asked that details about this event not be published.

As Marreel grew up, she didn't keep atop of all his activities, she admitted. She didn't know too much about his drug habit. She also only learned about her son's girlfriend expecting a child at her son's funeral.

"Well, when they're gone, you don't know what they're doing," she said. "Delhi is full of drug addicts. Are they (police) going to do that to them too?"

The Marreel family is awaiting a copy of the recommendations. They are trying to stay away from all the information published on their late relative.

"The less I know, the better," Margaret added.

Train police to recognize cocaine-induced delirium, inquest hears

As our friend over at Excited-Delirium said just yesterday: "Justice Braidwood (see Braidwood Inquiry) described 'excited delirium' as "unhelpful". It's looking more and more that the entire concept may be far worse than just a neutral "unhelpful". It's used to justify a response, but ignore the medical risks of whatever is ACTUALLY going on."

Even the RCMP has removed itself from the term "excited delirium."

It's time for ONTARIO to wake the hell up and extricate itself from the church of taser!!

October 15, 2010
Barb Brown, Hamilton Spectator

Ontario Provincial Police should equip every detachment with automatic defibrillators and ensure that all officers are trained to use them and to recognize a potentially fatal medical condition known as excited delirium.

These are among five recommendations jointly agreed to by coroner's counsel and lawyers with standing at the inquest into the sudden death of a 36-year-old Delhi man who was in the custody at the OPP's Norfolk detachment on June 23, 2008.

Jeffrey Marreel was arrested that morning for creating a public disturbance in the hamlet of Fisher's Glen, about 10 kilometres southwest of Port Dover. An autopsy concluded he died of a fatal cardiac arrest brought on by acute cocaine toxicity.

Dr. Margaret Thompson, an emergency room physician with expertise in cocaine poisoning and the rare, but related medical emergency known as "excited delirium," testified there was enough cocaine in Marreel's system to kill him. She said his aggressive behaviour, including attacking trees and traffic signs, hitting himself with a piece of metal, ranting and shouting incoherently, were indications that he was experiencing excited delirium, which was likely a contributing factor to his death.

The inquest heard Marreel exhibited "superhuman strength" and appeared impervious to pain as up to six police officer struggled to control and restrain him. A senior officer zapped Marreel with a Taser on stun mode several times, however, a report of a cardiologist who has researched Taser effects said the electroshock weapon did not appear to be a factor in Marreel's death.

Coroner's counsel Karen Shea argued that Marreel's death should be classified as an accident, as opposed to have occurred by natural causes, suicide, homicide and undetermined causes. Shea made five recommendations to the jurors at the inquest that were adopted by lawyers for the OPP and the provincial police officer's professional association. The lawyers recommend that:

--The OPP should equip all detachments with automatic emergency defibrillators and ensure officers are properly trained to use the machine.

--Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and base hospitals responsible for the training paramedics ensure that all medical emergency personnel are trained to recognize excited delirium as a medical emergency that can potentially be fatal.

--The OPP and Ontario Police College enhance training to ensure that all new recruits of police services in the province are trained to recognize indicators and the potentially lethal effects of excited delirium.

-- The OPP provide updated training annually for its front-line officers on the recognition of excited delirium.

--Ontario's Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services issue directives to all police services in the province to ensure that all police officers receive annual training on the signs and risks associated with excited delirium.

Coroner Jack Stanborough told the jury it must reach a majority decision on each of five questions, including, who was killed, where, when, how and by what means? The jury retired to deliberate at 11:30 a.m.

Taser jolts didn’t kill man, coroner’s inquest hears

Every time an inquest is held in this province after a person was tasered and died, the coroner parades the same cast of characters, whose testimony goes completely unquestioned and is counterproductive to finding out what really caused the person to die.

If you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that cardiologist Paul Dorion has testified in the past that tasers aren’t quite as non-lethal as they might seem. But he's not being paid to say that here.

See, for example, this post:

Taser jolts didn’t kill man, coroner’s inquest hears

It’s pathetic that no one is at the inquest to ask these “expert witnesses” any tough questions!!

October 14, 2010
Barbara Brown, Hamilton Spectator

A Taser deployed by an OPP officer on a paranoid and out-of-control cocaine binger did not cause the Norfolk man’s fatal heart attack nearly one hour later, says a cardiologist’s report to a coroner’s jury.

Dr. Paul Dorian, a research scientist, cardiologist and pharmacologist, submitted his report to Coroner Jack Stanborough, but was not available to testify Thursday during a third day of evidence at the inquest in Hamilton into the death of Jeffrey Mark Marreel, 36.

The Delhi man suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while in police custody the morning of June 23, 2008, approximately 55 minutes after being jolted several times with a Taser on “stun mode.”

Marreel, who was erratic and agitated from a weekend of snorting, smoking and injecting cocaine, displayed almost “superhuman strength” and showed no response to the Taser or other pain during a struggle with up to six police officers.

Witnesses called Norfolk OPP because the man had been walking around destroying property and generally wreaking havoc near Fisher’s Glen Road and Front Road.

Marreel was eventually restrained by police and placed in the back of a cruiser, where he was briefly examined by a paramedic. He continued to be incoherent and combative and refused medical treatment for two lacerations to his head. Marreel was taken to Simcoe provincial police station.

The prisoner lost consciousness and was observed to have no vital signs. CPR efforts failed and the man was pronounced dead at Norfolk General Hospital.

Dorian noted there has been considerable debate about the potential for Tasers to have cardiac effects and possibly contribute to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. But to have this effect, he said, the Taser would have to be applied to the torso with its current path crossing the heart. In that situation, he said, the cardiac effect would occur “within seconds of application.”

“In (this) situation, the Taser application was approximately one hour prior to the observed loss of consciousness, and appears to have been applied to the subject’s extremities (two jolts to the back of the shoulder and one to the arm). In this circumstance, there is no possibility that the Taser application played any role in the subject’s subsequent cardiac arrest.”

Dorian concluded Marreel’s sudden cardiac death was caused by acute cocaine toxicity.

In other evidence, Dr. Margaret Thompson, a specialist in emergency medicine and medical director of the Ontario Poison Centre, said she believes excited delirium (once called cocaine psychosis) was a contributing factor in Marreel’s death, secondary to acute cocaine toxicity.

The paramedic who examined Marreel in the back seat of the police cruiser noted a somewhat elevated heart rate, but was not able to do a proper assessment because of his combativeness. Thompson said she would not have released such a patient from medical care, given that he was exhibiting symptoms of excited delirium can lead to sudden death.

Coroner’s counsel Karen Shea, Lorenzo Policelli, counsel for the Ontario Provincial Police and William MacKenzie, the lawyer for the police association, are to make closing arguments to the jury on Friday.

Three hits from Taser failed to subdue Delhi man

October 14, 2010
By Barbara Simpson — Delhi News-Record

HAMILTON — A Norfolk OPP sergeant zapped Jeffrey Marreel three times with a Taser in an attempt to subdue him, an inquest jury into the death of the Delhi man heard Wednesday.

The Taser was set in dry stun mode, which has been proven ineffective for people with excited delirium.

An OPP training video presented as evidence by the Crown at the John Sopinka Courthouse says operating a Taser in the dry stun mode — where the probes remain on the Taser as opposed to being fired off — is "not effective" in ensuring pain compliance for people with excited delirium.


Norfolk OPP Sgt. Dean Skelding operated his Taser in such a manner when he zapped Marreel on the neck and shoulder area, back and rear left arm on June 23, 2008. He was attempting to have Marreel comply with an order to lie flat on the ground, Skelding said.

He opted for the dry stun mode as opposed to firing off the probes for the safety of surrounding officers.

Skelding's first attempt to administer the five-second zap was unsuccessful on Marreel, who was in a crouched position on Fisher's Glen Road, the jury heard.

"He bucked me off at the one to 1.5 (seconds) one," Skelding recalled.

The next two attempts — on Marreel's back and later on his rear left arm — were administered for the full length of time. This didn't deter Marreel, who eventually ripped off Skelding's body armour.

"The whole front piece came off which made it more dangerous for me," Skelding testified.

Marreel was eventually taken to the Norfolk OPP detachment in Simcoe where officers noticed he had stopped moving as they tried to put a waist restraint on him.

Officers performed CPR while an ambulance was en route to the detachment.

Marreel, 36, was pronounced dead at Norfolk General Hospital shortly after 12 p.m. His cause of death has been ruled "acute cocaine poisoning" by the Ontario Special Investigations Unit.

A juror asked whether Norfolk OPP or Norfolk EMS made the decision to take Marreel straight to the detachment as opposed to the hospital. Skelding reiterated it was the "cooperation of the two," adding paramedics had cleared him.

"As I said, in my notes here, I have, 'EMS has no concerns,'" he said.

Skelding was unable to recall if he had informed paramedics that Marreel had been using cocaine.

"I don't recall," he said. "I had a lot going on at that time."

Skelding was concerned about Const. Ken Decloet who may have been exposed to Hepatitis C through Marreel. He also had to tend to public safety and damage to a cruiser.

While Marreel displayed erratic behaviour, he was able to state his name and the drug he was on, noted lawyer William MacKenzie, who is representing the OPP Association. MacKenzie suggested this reasoning ability may not have been consistent with excited delirium.

OPP Sgt. Liam Brennan, who trains officers in the OPP's western region, agreed with this suggestion. He also stated Skelding did an "excellent job" and he would have "done the same thing" at that scene.

Dr. Jack Stanborough, western regional supervising coroner who is hearing the inquest, was taken aback by this statement.

"I'm a little surprised as an instructor that you would have handled the situation the same way," he said.

Many of Marreel's behaviours — paranoia, incoherent speech and unexpected strength — are listed as symptoms of excited delirium, he pointed out.

"It sounds an awful like what I've heard over the last two days," he said.

Medical testimony is expected to be delivered in the inquest today.

Barbara Simpson
519-426-3528, ext. 112

Jeffrey Marreel inquest continues

October 14, 2010
CD 98.9

Day two of an inquest into the death of a Delhi man in June of 2008 found a senior OPP officer saying he had no choice but to use his taser. 36 year old Jeffrey Marreel died at Norfolk General Hospital after being hit with a taser by OPP in Fishers Glen. The cause of Marreel's death is said to be acute cocaine poisoning. Staff Sergeant Dean Skelding told the court five officers were struggling with Marreel and he put his taser on stun mode and delivered three shocks to the man's body. The officer claims Marreel did not respond to being tased. The inquest continues today.

Officer used Taser to stun addict

October 13, 2010
Barbara Brown - hamilton spectator


With five police officers struggling to control a crazed, violent coke addict, a senior OPP officer said he had no choice but to fire his Taser several times.

Staff Sergeant Dean Skelding said he delivered three shocks to the body of Jeffrey Mark Marreel, 36, but set the device on “stun mode” only. Skelding said he did not want to risk striking any of his officers with the full impact of the electroshock weapon.

In stun mode, the Taser is held against the person’s body to deliver a penetrating pain but does not completely incapacitate the suspect’s muscles, as it does when the weapon is fired from a short distance with its small, dartlike projectiles attached.

Marreel showed no response to being stunned three times, Dr. Jack Stanborough and the coroner’s jury heard.

The confrontation on June 23, 2008, began when Marreel jumped out from behind a dumpster, wielding a piece of metal at the officers, near Front Road and Fisher’s Glen Road in Norfolk, just northeast of Turkey Point. The man appeared to be in state of “excited delirium” after a weekend of smoking, snorting and injecting cocaine.

Marreel was ranting to himself and shouting obscenities at the police. He ran barefoot up a steep hill and tried to pull down the “Welcome to Fisher’s Glen” sign.

Five officers attempted to restrain Marreel and were joined by a sixth officer, said coroner’s counsel Karen Shea.

Marreel, who was in and out of jail and well known to police, was checked out at the scene by paramedics, who noted lacerations to his head but deemed him fit enough to go to the Simcoe OPP station.

About an hour after his detention, Marreel went into medical distress and was taken to Norfolk General Hospital, where he died from acute cocaine poisoning.

OPP training officer Liam Brennan told the inquest that front-line officers have viewed a training video on excited delirium and have a prisoner care manual usually posted in custody areas, which sets out the signs and symptoms. But Norfolk Constable Ken DeCloet said he felt the training on excited delirium was “woefully inadequate,” given the prevalence of crack addiction.

Excited delirium is a controversial term used to explain the deaths of some individuals in police custody who have exhibited a combination of bizarre symptoms, including agitation, paranoia, violent behaviour, insensitivity to pain, profuse sweating, elevated body temperature, superhuman strength and rapid heart rate.

Lawyer William MacKenzie, who represents the Ontario Provincial Police Association, asked the training officer if he believed Marreel actually experienced excited delirium, given that he was examined by paramedics and not considered in need of medical treatment.

“Not from what I heard, sir,” Brennan said.

A suspect in police custody who is thought to be in the throes of excited delirium, which can be fatal, is supposed to be taken for immediate medical treatment.

The inquest continues today.

Taser use questioned in drug user's death

October 13, 2010
Barbara Simpson, QMI Agency, Toronto Sun

HAMILTON, ON - When Jeffrey Marreel jumped out from behind a dumpster wielding a piece of metal, Norfolk OPP Constable Scott Adams knew he wasn't answering a run-of-the-mill disturbance call.

Instead Marreel channeled "superhuman strength," fending off a team of officers trying to restrain him, a jury heard Tuesday on the first day of the inquest into the man's death.

In a state of excited delirium from a weekend of smoking, snorting and injecting cocaine, Marreel wreaked havoc on the hamlet of Fisher's Glen in the county of Norfolk in southern Ontario, testified Norfolk OPP officers at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton Tuesday.

Marreel, running barefoot up the steep hill, attempted to pull down the welcome to Fisher's Glen sign, Adams recalled. He also started hacking at an oak tree with his piece of metal, knocking down branches while having an "internal struggle."

"He's chopping away, yelling at himself," Adams said. "'If you come close to me, you f------ pig, this is what I'll do to you,' is what he said."

Adams, who was first on the scene, was joined by a team of officers after placing a priority call for backup on June 23, 2008. Officers, however, were no match for Marreel, who fought off a five-member team at one point, eventually whipping the piece of metal at Adams' police car. It broke a light on the cruiser.

"You almost had one officer assigned to each body part," Adams recalled of police's efforts.

To illustrate this point, Hamilton Crown Attorney Karen Shea asked Norfolk Const. John Keefner to compare his stature with Marreel's frame. The six-foot-four Keefner weighs 240 pounds, while Marreel — who stood between 5'8" and 5'10" — weighed 200 pounds.

Officers still had trouble pinning down the man, Keefner testified. Even after his arms and legs were restrained, he wasn't ready to give up his fight.

"He still fought as much as he could," Keefner recalled.

Staff Sgt. Dean Skelding used a Taser on Marreel. However, Adams couldn't initially recall the use of the stun gun due to Marreel’s lack of reaction to it.

Marreel, however, died after being taken to the Simcoe detachment of the Norfolk OPP. His cause of death has been ruled "acute cocaine poisoning" by the Ontario Special Investigations Unit.

He would become paranoid after injecting powder cocaine and smoking crack cocaine, testified friend David Shearer. He didn't want people around him, even squirting soap once to fend people off.

Marreel, who was 36 years old at the time of his death, was also a staple in the criminal circuit, reportedly beating up an officer in another part of Norfolk county, Shearer added.

"He was well-known," he said Tuesday. "He abused women and was in and out of jail, mostly abuse charges."

Officers who testified Tuesday admitted that further training on how to handle cocaine users in a state of excited delirium would benefit the force. These officers had only seen a 15- to 20-minute video on the topic before the incident occurred.

"I believe it is woefully inadequate," said Norfolk Const. Ken Decloet.

Shea asked Adams if he was familiar with OPP policy on excited delirium. A suspect is supposed to be taken in for medical treatment first if symptoms of excited delirium are being experienced.

"I wasn't aware of that policy," Adams said.

Marreel was checked out at the scene, only bearing small lacerations on his head, testified Norfolk paramedic Donald Otterman. He wasn't in need of immediate medical treatment.

Shea asked what further training Norfolk officers have had since the incident to prepare themselves for a similar situation.

"I think I saw the video again," Adams answered.

Seven witnesses, including a pair of landscapers who saw Marreel's erratic behaviour, testified Tuesday. More police witnesses are expected to be called at Wednesday's proceedings.

Inquest to examine Delhi man’s death - Jeff Marreel died after being Tasered by police

September 16, 2010
By DANIEL PEARCE - QMI Agency

An inquest will begin next month into the death of a Delhi man who died after being Tasered by Norfolk OPP in June 2008.

But that's offering little comfort to the man's father, who says he continues to be frustrated by a lack of answers in the case.

"Why will it do any good? It's two years afterwards," Noel Marreel said of the inquest, which begins Oct. 12 in Hamilton.


The death of his son Jeffrey "should never have happened, but it did," he added. "I'm getting stonewalled. You give up after a while."

A jury of five will be convened at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton to hear evidence from about 21 witnesses.

Police Tasered and then arrested Marreel after being called to the lakeside hamlet of Fisher's Glen following a report of a man acting erratically.

There, police found the 36-year-old — who had a lengthy criminal record, including arrests on drug charges — brandishing a piece of metal.

Marreel was subdued and taken to the OPP detachment in Simcoe where he showed signs of "medical distress." He was taken by ambulance to Norfolk General Hospital where he died.

No criminal charges can come from the inquest, which is expected to last six days, but the jury can make recommendations on public policy, said Dr. David Eden, regional supervising coroner for operations for the ministry of community safety and correctional services.

"The recommendations are not binding, but the majority of them are implemented," noted Eden.

At least 20 people have died in Canada after being jolted by police Tasers since the stun-gun was introduced in 1999.

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A report prepared last year by the Ontario Special Investigations Unit, which investigates deaths in police custody, cleared police of any wrongdoing in the Marreel case.

The SIU report labeled the cause of death as "acute cocaine poisoning."

The inquest will be heard by Dr. Jack Stanborough while Hamilton Crown Attorney Karen Shea will act as counsel for the coroner's office.

Eden said inquests are normally held "as close as possible" to where the incident occurred, "but we also take into account the availability of Crown counsel."

Norfolk OPP Insp. Zvonko Horvat said he will attend the inquest "to oversee the process and to show support for my officers."

An inquest, Horvat noted, "is not to find fault in any individual. It's to find solutions, if there are any solutions to be found."

Inquest into the death of Jeffrey Marreel announced

HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 16 /CNW/ - Dr. David Eden, Regional Supervising Coroner for Operations, today announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Jeffrey Marreel.

Mr. Marreel, 36, died on June 23, 2008, at the Norfolk General Hospital following his arrest by the Ontario Provincial Police. An inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

The inquest will examine the events surrounding Mr. Marreel's death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

The inquest is expected to last six days and to hear from approximately 21 witnesses.

The inquest will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at the John Sopinka Courthouse, 45 Main Street East, Hamilton. Dr. Stanborough will preside as inquest coroner and Ms. Karen Shea will be counsel to the coroner.

Norfolk County : PSB Debates Across-The-Board Tasers

March 19, 2009
CD98.9 FM - Posted by Adam Liefl

The Norfolk County Police Services Board doesn't seem to be completely sold on a Canadian Police Association position of giving every officer on-duty a taser. While the issue has become a contentious one across Canada, it's that much more heated in areas where there occurred deaths in cases involving tasers, like Norfolk. The Board discussed the report yesterday at their monthly meeting but were not all in agreement on either their power level or on just how many officers should be allowed to carry them. Chair Peter Hellyer says unanimous deployment may not be a good thing for relatively young detachments like Norfolk's. The CPA is suggesting that all officers be authorized to carry one, though Hellyer and others on the board think that they should be reserved for senior or supervisory officers. Also debated was the power level of a taser. Inspector Zvonko Horvat agrees with the the CPA stance, that a taser should be labelled an "intermediate weapon" like a baton or pepper spray. Though Hellyer says they're borderline lethal, which would put it a shade below the category of a gun. Cost would also be an issue, as each unit runs for about $1500. Hellyer says the Board will challenge the idea and bring the issue up to the senior OPP ranks and even Attorney General Chris Bentley when he makes a local stop in a couple of weeks.

Cocaine - not Taser - killed Jeffrey Marreel

Yep - that's pretty much what they *all* say. Police are quick to blame these deaths on everything BUT the taser. Uh huh. Certainly, Jeffrey's cocaine consumption may be *partly* to blame for his demise, but there is NO WAY to say with ANY CERTAINTY that the taser played no role whatsoever.

February 18, 2009
John Burman, Hamilton Spectator

DELHI – A cocaine overdose killed Jeffrey Mark Marreel – not a police Taser.

Marreel, 36, died in hospital in Simcoe June 23 last year a little over an hour after a violent, daylight confrontation with three OPP officers at a rural crossroads.

Today, the Ontario special Investigations Unit said it has concluded Marreel died of acute cocaine poisoning. The force used to subdue Marreel was reasonable, the agency said, and the officers involved were acting in the discharge of their lawful duties.

SIU spokesperson Frank Phillips said in a statement Marreel was swinging a piece of a steel when the first Norfolk OPP officer encountered him at Front Street and Fishers Glen Road south of Simcoe.

Police had gone to the area at 10:30 a.m. on a Monday morning because neighbours had seen a man with a piece of steel waving it about in a threatening manner and hitting himself with it.

Unable to get Marreel to drop the steel step, the officer called for backup and retreated to his cruiser to wait.

Marreel continued to harm himself and finally lobbed another piece of steel at the cruiser after bashing a tree, a pole and a telephone junction box.

When two more officers arrived they decided to arrest Marreel. He dropped the piece of step but refused to drop to the ground and a struggle followed before he was Tasered and finally handcuffed.

Marreel, the SIU said in a statement, was taken to the Norfolk OPP detachment where he went into medical distress and was given first aid before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

“Mr. Marreel later died in hospital of acute cocaine poisoning,” he said.

When the incident occurred Marreel, who had no fixed address, was living in Delhi where he had family but was moving around staying with different friends. His father, Noel, told Canadian Press that day his son had a drug problem. “I suspect he was using (drugs),” the elder Marreel said. He also said his son had just broken up with his girlfriend in the previous month and lost his job two weeks before. “He was on a down cycle.”

The SIU is a civilian, provincial agency which investigates incidents between civilians and police which involve serious injury, sexual assault or death.

Although no date has been set, there will be a mandatory inquest into Marreel’s death because he died in police custody.

Norfolk police board boss urges review of taser use

December 18, 2008
DANIEL PEARCE, Brantford Expositor

The chairman of Norfolk's police board has called for an independent study on Taser use -- which has killed more than 20 people in Canada, including one in Norfolk -- to see whether it is safe to use it.

"The OPP has dropped the ball on this," Peter Hellyer said at the monthly meeting of the Norfolk police services board after pointing to stories in the media suggesting the devices can emit more of a shock than the manufacturer promises.

"There are all kinds of questions raised here. The safety of the machine is very suspect. This needs to be followed up on and followed up quickly."

After being peppered by a number of questions from Hellyer, Norfolk OPP Insp. Zvonko Horvat said he had no expertise on Tasers and would bring someone to the next meeting who could better explain how the devices -- used by police to subdue unruly and violent people -- work.

"If I you hit me with a wand on the head, I will get a bump but it won't kill me," said Hellyer, who reminded the meeting of the taser death last summer of a Delhi man, an incident that is still under investigation.

"You're raising a big question mark on use of this instrument," he said to Horvat. Police, Hellyer said, "should know how many times in a hundred it will misfire."

At least 20 people in Canada have died after being Tasered by police, raising questions about the device's safety.

Testing by the CBC found that four out of 41 Tasers generated electrical current that exceeded manufacturers specifications. The manufacturer countered that the tests were scientifically flawed.

Last June, Jeffrey Marreel, 36, was Tasered in the lakeside hamlet of Fisher's Glen. Reports from witnesses say Marreel, who had previous arrests for drugs and assault, was outside at the time acting strange and threatening passing cars with a long piece of aluminum. Marreel was Tasered, arrested and taken to the OPP detachment, where he collapsed. He later died at Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe.

Hellyer noted that 280 people have died worldwide from the device. "That in itself warrants further concern. It is of extreme concern to the people on the (police) board and of Norfolk County," he said.

Municipal police forces in Winnipeg and Nova Scotia have banned the use of Tasers.

SIU concludes investigation into death involving taser

July 24, 2008
CD98.9 Norfolk

SIU investigators are done gathering evidence and conducting interviews in the case of a local man who died in police custody. Investigators with the province's Special Investigations Unit are called in when someone dies or is seriously injured with in police custody. 36 year old Jeffery Marreel who collapsed after an incident involving a taser last month and later died at Norfolk General Hospital. It will likely be several weeks before any findings and a final report come forward.

Friends, family have hard time accepting taser death

July 3, 2008
ASHLEY HOUSE, SUN MEDIA

Friends and family of Jeffrey Marreel say there was so much more to him than his drug addiction and criminal record. He had a heart of gold," said his mother Margaret Marreel.

Delhi native Jeffrey Marreel, 36, collapsed and died after being Tasered by Norfolk OPP during an incident in Fisher's Glen June 23. The province's Special Investigations Unit continues to investigate.

Like most little boys, Marreel was a handful, Margaret said. She used to work in the tobacco fields in Aylmer when Marreel was young. It was the summer that song The Streak was popular," she recalled. And sure enough you'd see Jeff, he was only two years old or so, but he'd be running through the tobacco field naked. I'd find a sock here, a sock there, his shorts over there. He was a handful."

Friends still can't believe he's gone. We've been friends for 20 years," said Ron Mudford, who met Marreel in high school. We did everything together -- camping, concerts, living together. He was a great guy and my best friend. It's like losing a brother."

Those close to him describe him as hard working, compassionate and generous. He'd stay with me for awhile, trying to get away from the drugs," Mudford said, adding Marreel was ashamed of his habit and would be clean for months before something would trigger him to use again. I never had to ask him for grocery money or rent because he just gave it to me."

Margaret remembers her son's generosity following a house fire in Delhi, years ago. "He was right there. The guy came out of the house without any shoes on and Jeff went and gave him a pair of his," she said. "That was Jeff. Anything you needed, he was right there with it. You moving? He was helping."

Scarlet Helmer also knew Jeff well, meeting him through mutual friends six years ago. He was amazing with kids," she said. My kids loved him. He always wanted a family of his own, but it just never happened for him. And he adored his two nieces." Playing tag, hide and seek and baseball were all favourite memories for Helmer's sons Justice, Dustin and Jordan. They were also looking forward to a trip to African Lion Safari this weekend with Marreel.

Though his exterior was a big burly guy, Mudford said his personality was the complete opposite. He was a softy," he said. We'd be watching some TV movie and I'd look over and Jeff would have tears in his eyes. We'd tease him for that but he was the most compassionate guy I knew."

His sensitivity made him an easy guy to talk to. He was the kind of guy you felt good sharing your problems with," Helmer said. He would try to make it better or make you laugh."

His unexpected death last week has his family reeling. SIU have assigned 13 officers to the case. They continue to interview witnesses and friends this week.

Civilian witnesses who have come forward as a result of the appeal of local media, particularly the Simcoe Reformer, have contributed to the investigation," said SIU spokesman John Yoannou. He added the final report will not be complete for weeks.

There are just so many questions," Margaret said. And whatever the outcome, we'll never get him back."

More forensic tests ordered on Ontario taser victim

June 25, 2008
Becky Rynor and Al Sweeney, Canwest News Service

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit yesterday identified Jeffrey Mark Marreel as the man who died Monday after he was shocked by police using a Taser.

Ontario Provincial Police said the 36-year-old, of no fixed address, was being combative and was disturbing others during an incident Monday morning at the beach hamlet of Turkey Point, on Lake Erie, about 130 kilometres southwest of Toronto.

Margaret Marreel of Delhi, Ont., said yesterday she is dealing with a shock and grief that no mother should face. She called for a ban on police carrying Tasers.

"If they go with three or four cops, you mean to tell me they can't deal with one man and put him in a cruiser?" she questioned.

Other media reports said the man's father, Noel Marreel, said his son was depressed.

An autopsy performed yesterday was inconclusive and further forensic tests have been ordered to assist in determining the cause of death.

Son had problems, father of tasered man says

June 24, 2008
The Canadian Press

SIMCOE, Ont. — An Ontario man who died in police custody after being shocked by police with a taser gun had a drug problem and recently lost his job, his father said Tuesday.

Jeffrey Marreel, 36, died after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a disturbance in the town of Norfolk, Ont., near Simcoe on Monday.

The man had a history of drug problems and lost his job at a flower shop two weeks ago, his father Noel Marreel said in an interview.

Mr. Marreel, who also broke up with his girlfriend in the last month, was likely on drugs when he was approached by police at about 10:30 a.m. Monday, his father said.

“I suspect he was (using drugs),” said Mr. Marreel. “He was on a down cycle.”

Police say Mr. Marreel was transported to the Norfolk County provincial police station after being hit with the stun gun, where he collapsed.

Officers performed first aid on Mr. Marreel until paramedics arrived.

He was pronounced dead in hospital about two hours after the initial incident.

Jeffrey Marreel had no fixed address and drifted between the homes of friends and family, his father said.

In Toronto, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci said the province will not be calling for a moratorium on taser use in the wake the incident.

“Ontario has a very, very measured approach to the use of tasers,” said Mr. Bartolucci, who added a provincial report on the use of the stun guns is scheduled to be released in December.

Last week, the RCMP announced it would restrict taser firings following a report into what critics call “usage creep.”

The officers in the federal police force will have a clearer direction on how and when a taser should be used, chairman Paul Kennedy said at the time.

He also said all people stunned using tasers should receive medical attention, a point that is “particularly relevant for at-risk populations, such as people with mental-health issues, substance-abuse problems, health and homelessness challenges.”

Some 21 people have died in Canada after being stuck with tasers.

Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died in October after being repeatedly zapped by RCMP officers at Vancouver International Airport. A video of his final moments added to the debate about the use of tasers.

Amnesty International Canada has repeatedly called for a temporary moratorium on the stun guns, pending an independent study of its possible risks.

Because Mr. Marreel died in police custody, Ontario's Special Investigation Unit is probing the incident.

An autopsy was scheduled to be performed in Hamilton on Tuesday.

"UNWANTED male person" ... "succumbed to HIS condition"

Ontario Provincial Police
News Release
Attention News Editors:

In-custody death - Special Investigation Unit invokes mandate

NORFOLK COUNTY, ON, June 23 /CNW/ - Officers from the Norfolk County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of an unwanted male person causing a disturbance in the vicinity of Fishers Glen Road in Norfolk County at approximately 10:30 a.m. this date.

Upon arrival, police located a combative male party. During the encounter police deployed a conducted energy weapon. Ambulance personnel attended the scene and the male was subsequently taken into police custody and was transported to the Norfolk County OPP.

Upon arrival at the detachment, the male collapsed. Officers administered first aid until the ambulance arrived. The male was transported by ambulance to Norfolk General Hospital where he succumbed to his condition.

Due to the fact that the male died while in police custody, Ontario's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) was immediately notified by the OPP and they has [sic] invoked their mandate.

Any further enquires should be directed to SIU Communications at 416-622-2342.

For further information: Sergeant Pierre Chamberland, Media Coordinator, Corporate Communications Bureau, Phone: (705) 329-7092

Another Canadian dies

Four years to the day after my brother Bob died (on June 23, 2004) - we've lost another Canadian.

Jun 24, 2008

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is probing the death of a 36-year-old man who died after being Tasered in a confrontation with provincial police officers.

Officers were responding to a call about a man causing a disturbance in Norfolk County yesterday morning. Police described the man as "combative."

A Taser was used to subdue him before officers took him to the Simcoe provincial police station, the SIU said in a release last night.

The man collapsed at the station and officers administered first aid until an ambulance arrived, police said. He died at Norfolk General Hospital.

The SIU is a civilian agency that probes cases of serious injury or death involving police.

The incident occurred just days after the RCMP announced it would restrict Taser firings.

Officers will have clearer direction on how and when the powerful weapons should be wielded "as quickly as possible," the Mounties said last Wednesday following renewed calls for action by the RCMP complaints commission.

A recent report on RCMP Taser use revealed that nearly a third of the people hit with Tasers needed medical treatment after.

Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died last October after he was Tasered by RCMP at Vancouver International Airport.

Canadian dies after being hit by taser

Four years to the day after my brother Bob died (on June 23, 2004) - we've lost another Canadian.

June 23, 2008
Tiffany Crawford, Canwest News Service

An Ontario man is dead after Ontario Provincial Police used a Taser after they said the man became combative and disturbed others. The OPP said the incident happened at about 10:30 a.m. Monday after police responded to a call of a disturbance in Norfolk County, about 130 kilometres southwest of Toronto.

The Taser incident reportedly happened at the beach hamlet of Turkey Point, which is a three-kilometre long sandy beach onlake Erie popular for fishing and hiking. The hamlet is home to very few year-round residents.

"During the encounter police deployed a conducted energy weapon," provincial police said in a statement Monday. Officers said ambulance personnel attended the scene and the man was taken into police custody. He was then transported to the Norfolk County OPP detachment, where he collapsed.

Officers said they administered first aid until the ambulance arrived. The male was transported to Norfolk General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A spokesman for the OPP, Sgt. Pierre Chamberland, refused to divulge the name or age of the dead man. He said the police had no further comment on the matter, adding that because he died while in police custody, Ontario's Special Investigation Unit is investigating.

The SIU is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving police in which people are hurt or killed.

Since 2003, there have been 20 Taser-related deaths in Canada. More than 300 people across North America have died.

The RCMP's watchdog released a report last week saying he wants stricter guidelines on the use of Tasers but did not recommend an outright ban or moratorium on the weapons.

Paul Kennedy, chair of the RCMP's public complaints commission, said he supports the continued use of the stun gun, but only if the RCMP implements all of the recommendations contained in the commission's report.

Kennedy wants Tasers classified as "impact weapons"' and to only be allowed in situations where the person is combative or poses a risk of death or major harm to the officer, themselves and the public.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day asked the commission to look into RCMP use of Tasers after the high-profile death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport last fall.

Dziekanski died following an encounter with RCMP officers, who used a Taser on him.

Video of the incident sparked international outrage, debate over use of the devices and several investigations.

The RCMP has been using the weapon since 2001.