Inquest into hanging begins with walk-out
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Relatives of the second black man from the same Telford family to be found hanged in the town walked out on the opening day of his inquest yesterday in protest at the conduct of the proceedings.
The deaths of Errol McGowan, 34, and his 20-year-old nephew, Jason, have been surrounded in controversy since they were found dead in similar circumstances within six months of each other.
For more than three years the McGowan family has fought to establish the full facts of their deaths, maintaining that West Mercia police force had failed to investigate either death properly.
But yesterday they seemed to feel their patience had been tested to its limit. They announced that they would not take part in the "unfair'' proceedings, unless threatened with legal action.
Jason McGowan was found hanging from his belt on railings only yards from the pub where he had been celebrating the Millennium Eve with his new wife, hours earlier. His death, coming six months after his uncle was discovered dead, shocked the Shropshire community and caused considerable controversy. The older man, a builder and part-time doorman, was found in a house he had been looking after for a friend, in July 1999, after repeatedly complaining of racial harassment.
Yesterday, minutes after the jury was sworn in at the beginning of a month-long inquest into the younger man's death, his widow, Sinead, mother, Doreen, grandmother Icyline, sister Sonia and uncles Clifton, Noel and Leroy walked out, with their legal team. Only his father, Rob King, remained behind.
"We wish to say to the jury that we show no disrespect for them,'' Emily Thornberry, Mrs McGowan's barrister, said. She added: "But for reasons of unfairness indicated to you [the coroner] the family will take no further part in the proceedings unless forced to do so.'.
The McGowans, who have taken part in many meetings and hearings to discuss the deaths, insisted they would only attend the inquest if they received official summonses.
Yesterday two hours was spent selecting a jury of seven men and four women after each potential person was asked whether they had any connection to the local police force, to any witnesses in the case, to the McGowan family or their campaign for justice.
After the relatives walked out, Michael Gwynne, the Wrekin coroner, explained that this was an "extremely sensitive'' case which had been linked in the media with the death of Jason's uncle, Errol and had a "considerable impact upon the community''.
The jurors are expected to hear from 71 witnesses and listen to 18 statements. Today they will be taken to visit the pub in Ketley where Mr McGowan spent his last hours, as well as the spot where he died.