The preliminary inquiry for 10 guards charged in the death of an inmate at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary is scheduled to begin today.

Thirty-three-year-old Jonathan Henoche died at HMP in November of 2019 while awaiting his own trial for first-degree murder.

He was accused in the 2016 killing of 88-year-old Regula Schule in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The officers charged in Henoche’s death have chosen to be tried by Supreme Court judge and jury. That triggers a preliminary inquiry to determine if, in fact, there is enough evidence to warrant a trial in the first place.

Given the number of accused, their lawyers, court staff and public interest in the case, the proceedings will take place at the former school for the deaf in St. John’s. The courts have been moving larger matters to that site during the pandemic.

Evidence presented at the inquiry, which is expected to take 10 days, is banned from publication.

Three of the officers are charged with manslaughter, with one facing an additional charge of failure to provide the necessities of life. The other seven each face a single charge of criminal negligence causing death.

All are required to show up in person today for the inquiry, although one of the 10 applied for an exemption.

The accused have remained free on conditions and suspended with pay from their jobs.

Officers Charged:

• Jeff Thistle: charges of manslaughter and failure to provide necessities of life
• Jason Anthony: charge of manslaughter
• David Constantine: charge of manslaughter
• Chris Coady: charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Stefan Cumby– charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Daniel Dalton – charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Scott Dwyer – charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Jenine Rickert – charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Riley Ricks – charge of criminal negligence causing death
• Lori Williams – charge of criminal negligence causing death.