A pair of RCMP officers charged with manslaughter in relation to the 2017 death of Dale Culver have pleaded not guilty.
Culver was a member of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations whose death sparked public outcry over anti-Indigenous racism in policing.
RCMP had pepper sprayed Culver while attempting to arrest him for allegedly casing vehicles after they say he tried to escape on a bicycle.
He would then begin experiencing difficulty breathing, before passing away in police custody in Prince George in July of 2017.
After their first two court appearances were postponed, Constables Paul Ste-Marie and Jean Francois-Monette have now pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges.
Constables Arthur Dalman and Clarence MacDonald, and Sergeant Bayani Cruz will also enter pleas for their obstruction charges next month.
Dates have not yet been set for when the court proceedings of the other two officers will continue.
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