TORONTO - After 11 months of hearing evidence, jurors at an inquest into the videotaped choking death of a teenager in her segregation cell are finally deliberating.
Dr. John Carlisle sent the five-woman panel away yesterday to come up with a verdict in the death of Ashley Smith along with recommendations on preventing a repeat of the tragedy.
Despite being on high suicide watch, the 19-year-old from Moncton, New Brunswick strangled herself in her segregation cell at a Kitchener, Ontario prison in October of 2007.
The inquest has heard how guards had previously rushed in to save the chronically self-harming teen.
But on the day Smith died, they hesitated, because of orders from senior management against intervening as long as she was still breathing.
Carlisle says the jurors' have five verdict options -- natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined.
He also pointed out that the jury can, but is not required to, make recommendations.
The inquest began hearing evidence in January after a first attempt had previously fallen apart.
