Stephan trial could wrap up this week

Aug 26, 2019 | 3:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The case of the death of 19-month-old Ezekiel Stephan from March 2012 resumed this week and could be near its conclusion.

Justice Terry Clackson said Monday that he wants to finish the trial by the end of the day Friday, August 30th.

Ezekiel’s parents David and Collet Stephan are each charged with one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Monday’s proceedings surrounded Dr. Anny Sauvigeau, a forensic and anatomical pathologist.

At the time of the incident, Sauvigeau was the Chief Medical Examiner with Alberta Health Services and was the one who hired Dr. Bamidele Adeagbo, the lead coroner in this case.

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She alluded to the fact that she and Dr. Adeabgo disagreed on the cause of Ezekiel’s death. His report concluded that the child died of bacterial meningitis, and Dr. Sauvigeau agreed that while it was present, it was not the cause of death.

The process of certifying Dr. Sauvigeau as an expert witness in this case took up all of the morning’s proceedings and spilled into the afternoon.

It is expected that the crown and defense will present their closing arguments later this week.

by David Opinko