Special prosecutor wants to re-open Dziekanski taser case

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A special prosecutor looking into whether the RCMP officers who tasered Robert Dziekanski in 2007 should be charged, said a public inquiry has revealed new evidence and said the case should be re-opened.

Richard Peck was appointed after the inquiry report – released earlier this month – found that the four officers involved used too much force when they stunned Dziekanski with a taser, and then lied to investigators looking into his death.

In December 2008, B.C.’s criminal justice branch made the decision not to charge the officers, stating that they used reasonable force in the circumstances, despite video that showed otherwise.

However, the branch released a statement saying after finding new evidence, Peck believes the decision not to lay any charges needs to be revisited. He announced that he remains interested in video analysis and expert opinions on the use of force and de-escalation that appeared at the inquiry last year.

Peck plans to look at the officers’ statements to investigators after Dziekanski’s death, and their testimony at the inquiry to determine whether any laws were broken.