Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Source: Duncan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Duncan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.duncannewsleader.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Paul Rudan

MOM SKEPTICAL OF AUTHORITIES IN JAILHOUSE DEATH

The coroner's inquest regarding her son's death in a police cell is 
barely underway and already Duncan's Jeanette Beadle is skeptical of 
the proceedings.

"This has been a cover-up from day one," she said as the inquest 
recessed for lunch on day one. "People just don't die when they go to 
jail."

The five-day inquest began Monday at the Ramada Inn and involves the 
death of 27-year-old Adam Wayne Beadle who died primarily of a 
methadone overdose on March 2 while incarcerated at the Campbell 
River RCMP detachment.

"This is the second death in (Campbell River) police cells since 
1997," said Jeanette Beadle. "I hope something happens so this 
doesn't happen again."

Since the day her son died, Jeanette Beadle said she has "battled 
authorities" to learn the truth. It all began the night he died when 
she wasn't told he expired while in jail.

"I got a call from a doctor at the hospital, not the police. I've had 
arguments with (coroner) Charleen Phelps and I asked police to get 
testimony from people in the adjoining cells but the police 'forgot' 
to interview them," she said. "We have statements from every officer 
but not the guys who were beside him."

The inquest began Monday morning with a three-woman, two-man jury, 
five lawyers representing the various authorities involved and one 
more representing the Beadle family.

The purpose for the inquest, said Phelps, is for the jury to 
determine the facts of Beadle's death, to make recommendations and to 
satisfy the community that the cause of death is not ignored.

"No one is on trial here," Phelps instructed the jury. "You're not 
trying to judge the guilt or innocence."

Over the five days, the inquest will hear from at least 28 witnesses, 
the first being Ed Wishart.

Wishart is a former minister who now counsels street people with drug 
and alcohol problems. The inquest heard that Beadle moved from Duncan 
to Campbell River on Feb. 23 and between that time and his death, he 
had visited the hospital for drug treatment.

Wishart's had trouble remembering specific dates and events. 
Apparently, on Feb. 28, around midnight, Beadle was picked up at the 
hospital by Wishart who took him to a restaurant for something to eat 
and then back to his home where the two talked throughout the night.

"He was a man who looked and acted very panicky," Wishart told the 
inquest. "It was almost impossible to settle him down."

Wishart later learned that Beadle had taken a variety of street drugs 
including heroin, cocaine and pills, "anything he could get his hands 
on," said Wishart.

Beadle rambled throughout the night, talking about "making things 
right with his family," and by morning appeared to be settling down 
as the drugs wore off.

By mid-morning, the two men met with the hospital's drug and alcohol 
counselor, Wendy Conover, who left Beadle under Wishart's 
supervision. The two drove to a local pharmacy where Wishart watched 
Beadle take his methadone - a prescribed drug used by recovering 
heroin addicts. The two split up and when they met later, Beadle was 
in the company of a known drug user. Beadle then asked Wishart for 
$40 (Beadle's family deposited $120 in Wishart's account to give to 
their son).

"I knew exactly what he was going to do (with the money). He was 
going to buy a flap of coke," said Wishart.

But Wishart didn't tell anyone of his suspicion because it would have 
ruined the trust the two had established, he said. The inquest also 
heard that combining methadone with other drugs is highly dangerous.

The next day, about noon, security guard Pav Purewall saw Beadle at 
Discovery Harbour Mall, and described him as friendly but drenched in 
sweat. Purewall eventually called police. Beadle was taken to 
hospital but walked out before receiving medical attention. At 4:28 
p.m., police received another call about an intoxicated male which 
turned out to be Beadle. He was arrested at 4:50 p.m., locked up and 
around midnight was found unconscious in his cell. He was taken to 
hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"We watched the video of him in his cell," said Jeanette Beadle. "He 
goes over to the toilet and throws up just before he dies. The 
hospital later found a baggy of white powder in his sock. Apparently 
it was 'baking soda'. "I want to know how he died. I want the facts."
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MAP posted-by: Josh