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Officer Testimony Delayed in Myles Gray Death Probe
29 Apr
Summary
- Officer testimony in Myles Gray's death hearing is unexpectedly postponed.
- Seven VPD officers are accused of abusing authority in the 2015 beating death.
- The hearing examines unnecessary force allegations in Gray's death.
A public hearing investigating the 2015 beating death of Myles Gray has encountered an unexpected delay. Const. Eric Birzneck, one of the Vancouver Police Department officers accused of abusing authority, was slated to testify this week. However, "unanticipated scheduling issues" have removed him from the witness schedule, with Wednesday now dedicated to discussing scheduling rather than hearing evidence.
The hearing, which began in January, is examining whether seven VPD constables, including Birzneck, recklessly or intentionally used unnecessary force. All seven officers have denied these allegations. Myles Gray died in a Burnaby backyard after a confrontation with police, sustaining severe injuries including a ruptured voice box and extensive bruising.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) is overseeing the hearing, described as one of the largest of its kind. While VPD members are not compelled to testify, the adjudicator can draw adverse inferences if they decline. The hearing is scheduled to continue on specific dates through May 2026.
