Mesic inquest date set

The coroner’s office has firmed up a date for the inquest into the police shooting death of Hamilton man Steve Mesic. It will begin June 2 in Hamilton, and last an expected two weeks.

In June of last year, 45-year-old Mesic was killed in a confrontation with police near his home. The Special Investigations Unit cleared police of any wrongdoing because, they said, Mesic refused to drop the shovel he was carrying as he advanced toward police.

Mesic’s family has been loudly critical of police use-of-force techniques. A coroner’s inquest is mandatory for anyone killed while in police custody.