William H. Davies | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 2, 1931 Chilliwack, British Columbia |
| Died | June 3, 2017 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia |
| Known for | Davies Commission Inquiry into the Death of Frank Paul[1] |
| Notable work | "Alone and Cold" (2009) |
William H. Davies QC Bill Davies, was a Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (BCSC), Canada, from 1982 until his retirement in 1999.[2] In 2007 he was appointed Commissioner of the Davies Commission Inquiry which investigated circumstances around the 1998 death by hypothermia of Frank Paul, a Mi'kmaq homeless man.
Education
He graduating from University of British Columbia Law School in 1955.
Career
He articled with Baker, Newby LLP, then known as Wilson & Hinds Law Office in Chilliwack, where he became a partner in 1956.[3]
In 1978 Davies was appointed as a County Court of New Westminster in 1978, Bill started his new role as a judge.[3]
Davies served as Justice on the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 1982 until his retirement in 1999.[4][2][5]
He also served as Justice in the North West Territories.[2]
He retired in 1999.[2]
Davies Commission Inquiry
Justice Davies was called out of retirement to chair the (2007 - 2009) Davies Commission Inquiry into the 1998 death by hypothermia of Frank Paul, a homeless Mi'kmaq man originally from Elsipogtog First Nation, /ɛlzɪˈbʊktʊk/ New Brunswick.[1]: ii According to the report, Paul died of hypothermia in an alley in east side Vancouver where he had been released by Vancouver police.[6] In his 446-page report, Justice Davies was "harshly critical" of the actions of Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in relation to Paul's death.[7] In his May 2011 report, "Alone and Cold: Criminal Justice Branch Response",[8] he questioned the decision "on the part of the crown prosecutors to not proceed with criminal charges against Sergeant Sanderson and Constable Instant in the death of Frank Paul."[9] Davies "ruled that the B.C.'s Criminal Justice Branch needed an overhaul to its conflict-of-interest policies that were brought up during the inquiry"[10] The Inquiry "resulted in the recommendation to establish the Independent Investigations Office which investigates officer-related incidents of death or serious harm in BC."[11]
References
- 1 2 Alone and Cold: the Davies Commission Inquiry into the Death of Frank Paul (PDF) (Report). Interim Report. Victoria, BC. February 12, 2009. p. 440. ISBN 978-0-7726-6065-7. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 "William H. Davies". The Province. Obituary. Vancouver, BC. June 10, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- 1 2 "1989 Citizen to be Recognized". The Chilliwack Progress. Chilliwack. November 1, 1989. p. 15. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ "Members of the Supreme Court of British Columbia". The Courts of British Columbia. nd. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ "50- and 60-Year Certificates" (PDF). Benchers' Bulletin. BC. Law Society. Fall 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ "Justice system failed Frank Paul, left to die of hypothermia: report". CBC News. March 12, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ "Crown erred in Frank Paul case: lawyer". CBC News. November 4, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ Davies, William H. (May 19, 2011). Alone and Cold: Criminal Justice Branch Response (PDF) (Report). p. 191. ISBN 978-0-7726-6379-5. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ Razack, Sherene (May 13, 2015). Dying from Improvement: Inquests and Inquiries into Indigenous Deaths in Custody. University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division. p. 328. ISBN 9781442628915. In References and Footnotes section
- ↑ "Justice William H. Davies Passes In Chilliwack – The Judge Involved In The Frank Paul Inquiry". Fraser Valley News. June 10, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ↑ "The Honourable Mr. Justice William H. Davies, Q. C. June 2, 1931 - June 3, 2017". The Globe and Mail. June 10, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.