Commission rejects appeal of officers fired after death of Neil Stonechild

The Canadian Press

July 28, 2008 at 6:53 PM EDT

Globe and Mail

SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Police Commission has dismissed the appeals of two Saskatoon officers fired after the freezing death of aboriginal teen Neil Stonechild.

Constables Larry Hartwig and Brad Senger were dismissed from their jobs in November, 2004, after an inquiry into Stonechild's death ruled the officers had the 17-year-old in their patrol car the last night he was seen alive.

Mr. Hartwig and Mr. Senger have always denied they saw Mr. Stonechild that night in November, 1990.

The commission ruled it was reasonable to conclude Mr. Stonechild was in the custody of the two officers.

The police commission also decided not to consider new evidence of a career criminal who said his former cellmate admitted to beating Mr. Stonechild and dumping him on the outskirts of Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal earlier rejected a bid to overturn the findings of the public inquiry.