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Expert describes Bonneau’s injuries on Day 4 of inquest

Apr 9, 2015 | 11:16 AM

The force of the blows delivered to six-year-old Lee Bonneau was as strong as a car crash, according to a forensic pathologist testifying on the fourth day of the inquest into the boy’s death.

Bonneau died at the hands of a 10-year-old boy who was receiving services while in the care of his family. Bonneau was in foster care. He was visiting Kahkewistahaw First Nation with his foster mother in August 2013.

Jurors at the inquest have so far heard from Bonneau’s biological parents as well as his foster mother, plus RCMP officers and the man who found him severely injured.

The forensic pathologist, Dr. Shaun Ladham, testified that Bonneau died of blunt force trauma. On Wednesday, Cst. Mark Dijkstra described how Lee was badly beaten with severe facial trauma. A three-foot long stick was found at the scene with blood on it.

Another officer testified on Wednesday about the boy considered responsible for beating Bonneau. Because he’s a minor, the inquest is referring to him as “LT”.

LT was said to have been in a vehicle at the scene looking scared, his mother with him and crying after the incident. Cpl. Carol Thomson, who was with the RCMP at the time, testified she didn’t cuff him or put him in jail but did arrest him for assault with a weapon.

She read him his right to council, albeit more for his mother’s benefit, Cpl. Thomson explained. LT was then brought back to the detachment in Broadview so he could be interviewed.

Cpl. Thomson said LT didn’t understand what he had done.

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