A Hot Mic, an Obscenity, and the Abrupt Halt to a Long-Awaited Hearing into Myles Gray's Death

Imagine the scene: a long-anticipated disciplinary hearing, meant to bring some measure of clarity and accountability in a deeply tragic case, suddenly grinds to a halt. That's precisely what unfolded recently during the proceedings examining the 2017 death of Myles Gray. The unexpected cause? A small, almost imperceptible slip-up that reverberated loudly through the virtual courtroom: a hot microphone picking up an officer's expletive.

It happened amidst discussions about potential adjournments, a fairly standard legal back-and-forth, when suddenly, a distinct, exasperated voice was heard muttering, "Oh, for f*'s sake." The comment, undeniably picked up by an active microphone, hung in the air, palpable even through the digital divide. Almost immediately, the presiding officer, sensing the gravity and potential procedural implications of such an outburst, made the call: an abrupt adjournment, pushing the hearing into further uncertainty.

This incident, you see, is just the latest twist in a deeply troubling saga stretching back to August 2017. That's when Myles Gray, a young man from Sechelt, tragically died following a violent encounter with RCMP officers in Burnaby. Police had been called to a residential area about a man causing a disturbance; they found Gray, reportedly naked and disoriented, and a struggle ensued during the arrest that ultimately led to his death.

At the heart of this particular hearing are six RCMP members: Constables Josh Roda, Lacey Browning, Matthew MacLeod, Jody Peligrin, and Nelson Young, all of whom are facing allegations of using excessive force during that fateful arrest. Additionally, Cpl. Todd Schlieman is under scrutiny for reportedly failing to adequately supervise the situation. These aren't criminal charges, mind you, but serious internal disciplinary proceedings aimed at determining if their conduct breached the strict guidelines of the RCMP Act.

The road to this point has been anything but straightforward. BC's independent police watchdog, the IIO (Independent Investigations Office), concluded its examination with a finding that there were reasonable grounds to believe an offense may have been committed, recommending charges. However, in a decision that undoubtedly caused immense pain and frustration for Gray's family, Crown prosecutors ultimately decided against criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence to prove criminal conduct beyond a reasonable doubt. This internal disciplinary hearing, then, represents a crucial avenue for accountability where the criminal justice system fell short.

So, the hot mic moment wasn't just an embarrassing gaffe; it immediately raised questions of procedural fairness and whether the integrity of the proceedings could be maintained. Lawyers representing the officers, understandably, expressed their frustration with the ongoing delays and the manner in which the hearing has unfolded. The current adjournment is set to last until May 22, allowing the presiding officer time to meticulously review the implications of the outburst and decide on the best path forward. For Myles Gray's family, who have waited years for some form of justice and transparency, each delay, each unexpected setback, must feel like a fresh wound, prolonging their arduous journey for answers. It's a stark reminder that the pursuit of accountability, particularly in such complex cases, is often a slow, emotionally taxing, and unpredictable marathon.