The ongoing issues within Saskatchewan’s coroner’s office will not be resolved for some time yet.
It all stems from a jury trial in 2017 which found the province’s chief forensic pathologist unfairly assessed another doctor who was trying to get a job there.
Dr. Jeffrey Racette was awarded $5 million in damages against the Government of Saskatchewan and Dr. Shaun Ladham for loss of earnings and pension as well as punitive damages.
That decision has now been overturned on appeal and a new trial ordered.
The appeal has been granted based on “the trial judge failed to provide appropriate instructions to the jury” and “the award under each head of damages is excessive.”
The trial led to a review of the coroner’s office which concluded in June 2018.
Former Saskatoon police chief Clive Weighill conducted that review and took over as chief coroner the following September.