An inquest into the death of a man who was murdered in a Toronto jail over a bag of potato chips began Monday — and the jury heard that protections for inmates were possibly inadequate. It's been nearly 15 years since Jeffrey Munro, 32, a man who was coping with mental illness and addiction issues, died at the Don Jail. He was attacked in his cell by fellow inmate Troy Campbell, who was 26 at the time, on Nov.
7, 2009. Campbell was handed down a life sentence for second-degree murder in 2012. Court found he became violent after Munro ate his bag of chips.
The court found he stomped on Munro's head as he lay in his cot. Prior to sentencing, the judge presiding over the case, Justice John McMahon, said "this is a tragic case of a defenceless, mentally ill young man losing his life in the Don Jail." At the time, experts and advocates told CBC Toronto the jail was overcrowded and lacked programming and services to support inmate health.
The Don Jail closed in 2013. Now the details of the case are being revisited as the Office of the Chief Coroner is probing the case in an inquest. The inquest is mandatory under the Coroner's Act, which requires a probe if an individual dies in government custody.
Coroner's inquests are held to inform the public about the circumstances behind a death. A jury is required to deliver a verdict on the manner of the death, however inquests don't result in criminal charges. The jury can make recommendations if it chooses.
Life sentence for man who kil.