Inquest Called into Death of 4 Year Old

Thursday, April 26, 2007 03:59 AM

The dates have been set for the Coroner’s inquest into the death of Amanda Jean Simpson.

She is the four year old who was found unresponsive in the family home on October 30th of 1999. She was transported to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver where she died three days later.

The inquest has been set for June 11th to 15th at the Supreme Court in Prince George.

Coroner Beth Larcombe and a 5 person jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses in order to determine the facts surrounding the death.

Not long after Amanda’s death, the tragedy was raised in the provincial legislature as members of the opposition accused the Ministry of Children and Families of "failing" Amanda, that there had been numerous reports of abuse that somehow fell through the cracks.

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Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: heidi1555 on April 26 2007 9:01 AM

Oh wow, that poor little girl.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 26 2007 10:13 AM

This has been bugging me so I have to ask....why is the inquest only happening now if the child died in 1999? uh..how many years is that?
I do remember when it happened,but did I miss something here?

Posted by: thereasonableman on April 26 2007 11:57 AM

Crown didn't botch the case. The lengthy delay in calling an inquest was due more to trying to put a case together against this guy. After the inquest, you'll find out who really botched what. This child should not have died in the first place.

I have a question for you:

How do you put together a solid case against someone, with a strong probability of conviction, when the only witnesses to the incident are so afraid of the person who did it, that they not only won't tell you what really happened, they actually lie about the events to protect the person that did it. Complete and total fear of retribution at the hands of the offender.

Now what do you do ?

Posted by: editor on April 26 2007 12:23 PM

I must caution you all that while there may be suspicion about what happened and who did what, no one has been convicted of anything. I must also remind you that the inquest is not able to assess blame but can only outline the curcumstances surrounding this child's death, and affix a cause i.e. suicide, homicide, accidental. The Jury may also make reccomendations on how to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. When you make comments placing blame, you run the risk of providing grounds for a mistrial should the matter come before the courts. I am certain no one would want that to happen.
I thank you in advance for you extra consideration on this matter.

Elaine Macdonald

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 26 2007 12:35 PM

Tough question but not an unusual one.It is actually quite common in severely co-dependant and abusive relationships.
This type of situation is hard for someone "normal" to understand in a "normal" relationship, but people who work in this field see it all the time.
(ok,ok,define "normal")
Unfortunately a child died, and that is completely unacceptable under any circumstances.
...and point taken Elaine!

Posted by: lmorg on April 26 2007 1:41 PM

This matter WAS before the courts and the charges were withdrawn, elaine.
The injuries to this little girl were such that someone would have had to have swung her around like a poatatoe sack and then stomped on her skull. SHe did not fall down any stairs. The injuries were not consistent with a fall. The police were and are sickened that crown withdrew charges as it was felt that more than enough evidence was gathered to sustain a charge and conviction..... take it from someone who knows.

Posted by: snappi on April 26 2007 3:12 PM

I was told that exact same thing Imorg..how sad..someone certainly should be accountable.

Posted by: lmorg on April 26 2007 7:16 PM

Thanks snappi. I'm glad somebody agrees. This tragic incident was exactly what it was. The police do their best to piece together what happened, and defense lawyers do their best to blur the truth. The person who did the autopsy knows what happened, only too late. Hopefully the inquest will go into the forensic autopsy results and allow the little girl's voice (which was silenced) to be "heard".

Posted by: heidi1555 on April 26 2007 7:30 PM

Yes Imorg I sure hope the inquest will do that too but like i've said to my sister after Kevins inquest. "If nothing comes out of it he will get what he has coming in the end. Karma." It sure bugs me how the word "accountable" is at times invisible.

Posted by: snappi on April 26 2007 8:54 PM

Isn't it frightening. We have counsellors that say they are looking at the best interest of the children, we have the ministry that make appointments to see how a child lives, and then we have judges that say a child belongs with its mother...this poor little girl didn't have a chance.

Posted by: thereasonableman on April 27 2007 12:03 PM

Everyone in the system knows what happened. The inquest is nothing more than window dressing to hide the mess.

Furthermore:

"Not long after Amanda�s death, the tragedy was raised in the provincial legislature as members of the opposition accused the Ministry of Children and Families of "failing" Amanda, that there had been numerous reports of abuse that somehow fell through the cracks."

Is THAT what you meant about placing blame, Elaine ?

Also Imorg is right, except that there was no substantial likelihood of conviction (that's why the matter was stayed). Take it from someone who REALLY knows. Cops are not lawyers, far from it. Some of them barely understand the process.