A suggested recommendation has caused a delay at the coroner’s inquest into the death of Billy Ballantyne.
A representative of the Ballantyne family had made a suggested recommendation of cultural sensitivity training for staff of the Prince Albert Police Service and the Parkland Health Region.
A lawyer for the police argued that there was no evidence presented at the inquest to suggest any cultural insensitivity had occurred.
The coroner has adjourned the inquest to make his ruling on the arguments.
Afterward, he will finish charging the jury members, who will then deliberate over recommendations to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
The last of the testimony was heard this morning.
In November 2012, Ballantyne slipped on some ice and was taken to Victoria Hospital for lower back pain.
Ballantyne had admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana on that day and according to witness testimony he had appeared intoxicated.
The 44-year-old was arrested by police and taken to the city jail cells, but was later returned to the hospital where he passed away.
Dr. Shaun Ladham performed the autopsy on Ballantyne and said he died of an overdose of acetaminophen.
Ladham also said an acetaminophen overdose can sometimes make someone appear intoxicated.