Lee Bonneau’s parents give testimony on Day 1 of inquest
It was an emotional day Monday inside Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina as the inquest into a six-year-old boy’s death began.
Dozens of people gathered as a six-person jury was selected for the inquest, which was ordered after Lee Bonneau was found beaten to death on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in August 2013. His killer was another boy, just 10 years old. Both he and Bonneau were either in the care of, or receiving programming from, social services at the time.
Three male and three female jurors will listen to more than 30 witnesses over the next two weeks. Jurors were chosen not to find fault, but to figure out how Bonneau died and to help educate the public. They’re tasked with seeking out facts which will be developed into a set of recommendations to avoid any future tragedies such as Bonneau’s.
Lee’s mother, Stacey Merk, was the first to take the stand. She broke down and wiped the tears streaming down her face away with a tissue as she was questioned. Merk described her son as beautiful and happy – somebody who liked to laugh and play, and someone who was lovable.


