MOTHER WANTS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHY SON DIED IN JAIL

The coroner's inquest regarding her son's death in a police cell is barely
underway and already Jeanette Beadle is skeptical of the proceedings.

"This has been a cover-up from day one," she said as the inquest recessed
for lunch on day one. "People just don't die when they go to jail."

The five-day inquest began Monday at the Ramada Inn and involves the death
of 27-year-old Adam Wayne Beadle who died primarly of a methadone overdose
on March 2 while incarcerated at the Campbell River RCMP detachment.

"This is the second death in (Campbell River) police cells since 1997,"
said Jeanette Beadle. "I hope something happens so this doesn't happen
again." Since the day her son died, Jeanette Beadle said she has "battled
authorities" to learn the truth and it all began the night he died when she
wasn't told he expired while in jail.

"I got a call from a doctor at the hospital, not the police. I've had
arguments with (coroner) Charleen Phelps and I asked police to get
testimony from people in the adjoining cells but the police 'forgot' to
interview them," she said. "We have statements from every officer but not
the guys who were beside him."

The inquest began Monday morning with a three-woman, two-man jury, five
lawyers representing the various authorities involved and one more
representing the Beadle family.

The purpose for the inquest, said Phelps, is for the jury to determine the
facts of Beadle's death, to make recommendations and to satisfy the
community that the cause of death is not ignored.

"No one is on trial here," Phelps instructed the jury. "You're not trying
to judge the guilt or innocence."

Over the five days, the inquest will hear from at least 28 witnesses, the
first being Ed Wishart.

Wishart is a former minister who now counsels street people with drug and
alcohol problems. The inquest heard that Beadle moved from Duncan to
Campbell River on Feb. 23 and between that time and his death, he had
visited the hospital for drug treatment.

Wishart's testimony was often confusing and he had trouble remembering
specific dates and events. Apparently, on Feb. 28, around midnight, Beadle
was picked up at the hospital by Wishart who took him to a restaurant for
something to eat and then back to his home where the two talked throughout
the night.

"He was a man who looked and acted very panicky," Wishart told the inquest.
"It was almost impossible to settle him down."

Wishart later learned that Beadle had taken a variety of street drugs
including heroin, cocaine and pills, "anything he could get his hands on,"
said Wishart.

Beadle rambled throughout the night, talking about "making things right
with his family," and by morning appeared to be settling down as the drugs
wore off.

By mid-morning, the two men met with the hospital's drug and alcohol
counselor, Wendy Conover, who left Beadle under Wishart's supervision.

"The big concern was for his well-being. He needed someone to be with him,"
said Wishart.

The two drove to a local pharmacy where Wishart watched Beadle take his
methadone - a prescribed drug used by recovering heroin addicts.

Wishart then left Beadle who said he had some errands to do around town.
The two split up and planned to meet later at the Alano Club - a place for
recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.

When Wishart arrived later in the afternoon, Beadle had been kicked out of
the Alano Club and was in the company of a known drug user. Beadle then
asked Wishart for $40 (Beadle's family deposited $120 in Wishart's account
to give to their son).

"I knew exactly what he was going to do (with the money). He was going to
buy a flap of coke," said Wishart.

But Wishart didn't tell anyone of his suspicion because it would have
ruined the trust the two had established, he said. The inquest also heard
that combining methadone with other drugs is highly dangerous.

Around 7:30 p.m., Beadle was observed at Discovery Harbour Mall by security
guard Pav Purewall. The next day, about noon, Purewall saw Beadle again at
the mall and described him as friendly but was drenched in sweat. "I
thought he needed help," said Purewall, "but he begged me not to call
police or an ambulance."

Beadle wandered across the highway, sat down in the rock garden and that's
when Purewall called police. Beadle was taken to hospital but walked out
before receiving medical attention. At 4:28 p.m., police received another
call about an intoxicated male which turned out to be Beadle.

He was arrested at 4:50 p.m., locked up and around midnight was found
unconscious in his cell. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"We watched the video of him in his cell," said Jeanette Beadle. "He goes
over to the toilet and throws up just before he dies. The hospital later
found a baggy of white powder in his sock. Apparently it was 'baking soda'.
"I want to know how he died. I want the facts."