Fredericton police practices under review after major ‘error’ upended two death cases

Advertisement

Advertise with us

FREDERICTON - Fredericton police say they've hired an Ontario lawyer to investigate how an error by the force led to a stay of proceedings in two deaths.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/07/2025 (260 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FREDERICTON – Fredericton police say they’ve hired an Ontario lawyer to investigate how an error by the force led to a stay of proceedings in two deaths.

Director of Ontario’s police watchdog between 2008 and 2013, Ian D. Scott will review the way Fredericton police conduct major crimes investigations, the force said in a news release on Wednesday. 

An “insurmountable evidentiary issue” led to stays of proceedings in the 2021 death of Corey Christopher Markey and the 2022 death of Brandon Donelan, the Fredericton Police Force said.

A Fredericton Police Force vehicle in downtown Fredericton, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray
A Fredericton Police Force vehicle in downtown Fredericton, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray

Police Chief Gary Forward said the force takes full responsibility for what happened, but he did not disclose details.

“As part of our acknowledgment and commitment to public trust, we are taking immediate steps to examine the error caused on our part and to prevent a reoccurrence.”

Scott is “widely recognized for his expertise in police oversight,” and has authored “key texts” on policing and civilian monitoring of law enforcement, the news release said.

“The extensive background and specialized knowledge of Ian D. Scott in police oversight, investigative evaluation, and legal standards makes him uniquely qualified to conduct this review informed by best practices in law enforcement and justice,” the police force said.

Scott’s review is scheduled to begin July 17 and expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD MORE