Only one of the 10 correctional officers charged in the death of a man at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in 2019 has applied to have a lawyer appear on their behalf for their first court date next month.

All 10 of the correctional officers could make the same application to avoid having to show up in person on February 11. But the fact that only one has done that so far may be linked to the question of whether the guards’ employer—the provincial government—will cover their legal bills.

One legal source tells VOCM News that the guards likely wouldn’t qualify for legal aid if they’ve been suspended with pay, as previously reported. That could force them to hire their own lawyers at their own expense for now.

33-year-old Jonathan Henoche died last November while awaiting trial for the murder of an elderly woman, Regula Schule, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Henoche was approached by correctional officers during an incident at HMP on November 6, 2019. He was taken to the SHU or “special handling unit” but died a short time later. His death was ruled a homicide.

The ten correctional officers face charges ranging from criminal negligence causing death to manslaughter.

The group remains free on conditions to keep the peace and maintain good behaviour, and have no contact with each other.