Family of deceased responds to inquest
- EFN Staff | December 09, 2014
The family of Billy Ballantyne is responding to the results of a three-day coroner’s inquest that wrapped up on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.
“[The inquiry] was the first time we got to learn about what happened to my brother. We had no idea what happened to him from the time the ambulance picked him up just after midnight. We called the hospital every half an hour. We were shocked that morning when he learned he had died, and we still don’t understand how he went from a patient to an inmate,” said Billy Ballantyne’s eldest sister, Blanche Naytowhow.
The inquest included testimony surrounding Billy’s visit to the Victoria Hospital where he sought medical help for severe pain in his back and abdomen. Paramedics, the triage staff, security guards, and police officers who were in contact with Billy told the six-person jury that they believed he was intoxicated. Blanche said her family is upset with the way they felt he was portrayed by the witnesses as seemingly “drunk,” considering autopsy results that showed there was no alcohol in his system.
Following three-hours of deliberations on the timeline of Billy’s visit to the hospital, the jurors ruled that his death was a result of an accidental overdose of acetaminophen.
Kimberly Stonechild, lawyer for the family said, “In truth, testimony and documents revealed that Billy would have been in substantial pain during the time his liver was shutting down, and as a side effect would display characteristics of confusion similar to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.”
Testimony showed that due to staffing and workloads, follow up and re-assessment of Billy was not completed within the required timeline. The forensic pathologist, Dr. Ladham, M.D., also provided evidence that if Billy had been provided more examination then assessment of vitals, such as a physical exam of his abdomen or the taking of blood or urine samples, the severity of his circumstances, being toxic levels in his liver, would have become apparent.
Chief Edward Henderson of Montreal Lake First Nation believes “the system failed Billy” when he was removed from the hospital at the discretion of the security guards. He was present for all of the proceedings. He believes that negative stereotypes and attitudes toward First Nation people were underlying factors in the case.
“It’s clear that Billy didn’t receive the proper care he should’ve received when he first went to the hospital, and I recognize there is much work to be done to ensure that one’s personal history or physical appearance does not play into the treatment of someone seeking medical help,” said Chief Henderson. “As we work into the future, I intend to follow up the four recommendations put forth by the jury to the Prince Albert Health Region and Prince Albert City Police and work with respective officials and welcome any policy changes to ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again.”