Prince George B.C.- The first testimony in the Greg Matters inquest happened late in the day, and saw his sister Tracy take the stand.

Though not present when the fatal incident occurred, Tracey Matters talked about her brother, the easygoing shy boy she grew up with who had a yearning to find a career which allowed him to give back to the community. Considering everything from policing to teaching, he finally settled on the Armed Forces, serving his country in Bosnia. She also testified that he was different when he returned from his years overseas, easily startled and quiet, a man who sought private time.

Acting as his confidante, Tracey said  she  helped her brother by ensuring he saw a counsellor, and again noted a big change. Sobbing, she spoke of the last time she saw her brother alive,  during Christmas 2011, of snowball fights, Christmas lights and a nearly perfect holiday.

When questioned about scrapes with the law and incidents she learned of from her mom rather than Greg, Tracey said she felt Counsel was being unfair, reiterating the treatment Greg was undergoing was causing a vast improvement in his life.
"I’d say it was three steps forward, one step back," she said.

Matter’s testimony was followed by Cst. Steven Pelletier, who lives in the same area as the Matters’ family. Though off-duty, he attended the scene during a fight between Greg and his brother, Trevor. The fight began with an accusation from Greg that, at 3 a.m. Sept. 9 Trevor, possibly intoxicated, dropped by the family home, where Greg lived with his mom, and spun donuts in the driveway. Infuriated, Greg chased his brother down, forcing him off the road into the ditch. A fight ensued, and Pelletier said he witnessed the evidence of that on Trevor’s face.

Keeping the two men separate, he took Trevor to his home and called officers to attend the scene. Greg went to his house and called 9-1-1.

Those calls were played for the public and jury, with Greg calm at first then increasingly anxious. Attending officer Cst. Nathan Poyzer began his testimony and will continue tomorrow morning.
Constable Poyzer’s   partner, Cst. Jason Dickinson will follow.

The first day  started with  Inquest Counsel, Rodrick H. Mackenzie, introducingd exhibit one, a collection of paperwork on the case including everything from an autopsy and toxicology report to a variety of photographs, everything from the scene of the incident to pictures of the deceased.

He went on to explain the jury’s duty in the case, which includes a classification of death.

Both Andrew Kemp, Counsel for the Attorney General, and Cameron Ward, Counsel for the family (specifically Tracey and Lorraine Matters)  discussed the evidence presented in exhibit one, pointing out factors they believe are important for the jury to consider.
"What is said in opening remarks is not evidence," Kemp pointed out, a fact reiterated by presiding Coroner, Chico Newell.
Newell added what must be considered includes the evidence and documents presented during the proceeding.