World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Vancouver officer denies using excessive force in Myles Gray arrest
Const.
Eric Birzneck denies using excessive force during the 2015 arrest of Myles Gray in Vancouver.
Gray died after the violent police takedown, and a 2023 coroner’s inquest ruled his death a homicide, a finding that does not assign legal blame.
Birzneck told a hearing that he had never faced a more intense struggle and believed Gray showed signs of resistance.
The hearing is examining seven officers’ actions to determine whether any intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force.
A police disciplinary process previously found no misconduct, and no charges have been laid over Gray’s death.
Three other officers are scheduled to testify, as the hearing continues.
Const. Eric Birzneck denied using excessive force during the 2015 arrest of Myles Gray, which ended with Gray’s death.
Birzneck testified that he used no more force than needed to control Gray and did not lose control of his emotions.
A hearing is examining whether Birzneck or six other officers intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force.
Birzneck described Gray as showing signs of non-compliance and as having “incredible strength.”
A 2023 coroner’s inquest ruled Gray’s death a homicide, but that finding did not assign legal blame.
- Who
- Const. Eric Birzneck, one of seven Vancouver police officers involved in Gray’s arrest.
- What
- Birzneck denied using excessive force. A hearing is examining whether officers used unnecessary force.
- When
- The arrest occurred in 2015. Birzneck began testifying on Tuesday; the hearing began in January and has been repeatedly delayed.
- Where
- Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Why
- The hearing is meant to determine whether Birzneck or six other officers intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force in the altercation with Gray.
Vancouver police officers
Myles Gray
Use of force
Vancouver police officers
Birzneck said he used no more force than required to control Gray and did not lose control of his emotions. All officers deny wrongdoing.
Myles Gray
Gray’s side’s view is Not stated in the sources.
Vancouver police officers arrested Myles Gray in an incident that ended with his death.
A coroner’s inquest ruled Gray’s death a homicide, a term that does not assign legal blame.
A hearing into Gray’s death began.
Birzneck began testifying at the hearing.
- Officers involved
- Birzneck and six other officers
- Hearing location
- Vancouver
- Coroner’s inquest ruling
- Homicide, 2023
- Gray’s injuries
- Fractured eye socket, crushed voice box and ruptured testicles
- Other officers scheduled to testify
- Beau Spencer, Nick Thompson and Josh Wong
What people are saying
incredible strength
impervious to pain