Coroner will call Cooke to testify
The presiding coroner has ruled that Langley RCMP Supt. Derek Cooke will be summoned to testify at the inquest into the police shooting death of Alvin Wright.
Coroner Vincent Stancato made the decision on Wednesday morning before Sgt. Don Davidson took the stand to explain how he ended up shooting 22-year-old Wright in his bedroom in Langley City on Aug. 6, 2010.
Stancato said that to ensure public confidence, the inquest must be independent and thorough, and that includes asking Cooke — the officer in charge of the Langley detachment — why he reinstated Davidson to active duty before Davidson had even made a statement about the events of that night, and before the Vancouver Police Department investigation.
Stancato also wants to know what information Cooke publicly claimed to have about that night, to justify putting Davidson back on duty. Stancato also asked why he doesn't have that information from Cooke in his files for the jury.
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