Doctor, inmates testify during inquest into death of man at Regina Correctional Centre
An inmate and a forensic pathologist, along with nurses and corrections officers offered their testimonies on the second day of the public inquest into the death of Kalin Dean Holonics.
The 25-year-old from Estevan was found dead in his cell on July 9, 2020.
A forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy on Holonics confirmed the inmate overdosed on a combination of drugs including Fentanyl and gabapentin, during testimony Tuesday.
Larry Worm, an inmate with a cell next to Holonics at the time, also testified.
Worm said Holonics was a good guy within the unit and never heard Holonics talk about drugs.
During the standing count on the morning of Holonics death, Worm said he went inside Holonics cell to wake him up.
Worm said he nudged Holonics to get out of bed and said his body was stiff.
He told the guard on duty Holonics was unresponsive.
Two statement videos from other inmates who cannot be identified due to a publication ban were used as evidence in Tuesday’s testimony.
Both acknowledged there is a drug problem within the Regina Correctional Centre.
One statement went as far as to say drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, crystal meth and cannabis are commonly brought into the correctional centre through "throw overs" into the prison yard.
A throw over references illegal drugs being thrown over prison walls and picked up by inmates who then smuggle the drugs back inside the correctional centre and sell them to other inmates.
A correction officer working the night shift when Holonics was unresponsive also took the stand.
Video evidence shows the guard performing checks up to policy standards throughout the night at 12 a.m., 3 a.m., and 5 a.m.
However, the total duration of time spent checking each cell was 1-3 seconds.
People who testified were asked for their opinion on ways to improve the correctional centre and what could be done to prevent deaths like Holonics’.
Testimonies are expected to finish Wednesday morning with jurors presenting their recommendations Wednesday afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.