Steve Mesic shooting death inquest to begin in June

The province has set a date for the inquest into the death of Steve Mesic, a former steelworker shot and killed by Hamilton police officers last June.

The inquest will be June 2, nearly a year after Mesic was shot after a confrontation with police just behind his house.

Mesic, 45, had checkedhimself out of a voluntary mental health care program at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. He was seen wandering on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway near Upper Wentworth Street ramps on June 7.

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The inquest will examine the events surrounding Mesic's death. The jury may also make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

The inquest is expected to last 10 days and hear from about 16 witnesses.

It will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the John Sopinka Courthouse.

Regional coroner Dr. Jack Stanborough will preside as the inquest coroner. Graeme Leach will be counsel to the coroner.

Leach was also the lawyer who questioned a Hamilton police officer who shot and killed the driver of a stolen van during an inquest last year.