A security supervisor told a coroners inquest Friday that he was concerned about security video that appears to show a guard hitting a Royal Jubilee Hospital patient with a closed fist.
That patient, Paul Spencer, later died after being left by security guards in a secure room, cocooned in a blanket from chest to feet and lying face down on a mattress.
The video, which shows Spencer’s 2019 encounter with security guards up until he was left in the secure room, was aired earlier this week at the inquest into his death.
Security supervisor Jeremy Clarke said the report he had read about the death before watching the video said the guard had hit Spencer with palm strikes rather than a fist.
“Any inaccuracies can be concerning,” Clarke said.
Richard Neary, the lawyer for Spencer’s mother, Angela, had previously raised concerns about inconsistencies in security guards’ reports made after the death.
Clarke testified only briefly before court was adjourned and is expected to return on Monday, as the inquest into Spencer’s death continues into a second week.
The proceedings in front of coroner Kirsten Everett were expected to be completed in a week but several people remain on the witness list.
A seven-person jury will come up with recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
During the first week, the inquest heard from Angela Spencer, who had called police early Sept. 27, 2019 because her son, who had been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, had left the house and she was worried about him.
A Saanich police officer found Spencer some time later and took him to Royal Jubilee. About 5:30 a.m., Spencer approached an exit door and was directed away from it by a security guard.
Guard Guiseppe Moonie-Tkachuk said Spencer became agitated and was yelling.
Spencer was held on the ground by Moonie-Tkachuk and other guards before being taken to a secure room and placed face-down on a mattress while cocooned in a blanket.
When nurses and guards returned several minutes later with medication, he had turned blue.
A medical team was called but he could not be saved.
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