Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old from Moncton choked herself to death in a Kitchener facility in 2007. Lawyer Julian Falconer says Smith's family is in utter shock and disbelief to learn that Dr. John Carlisle has been assigned to take over from presiding coroner Dr. Bonita Porter.
He calls it an extraordinary development that means weeks of motions may be lost. He adds its shocking considering the size of this case that a chief coroner would ever been assigned who was not available after November.
The inquest started on May 16th and heard just three days of evidence before being adjourned until September. The Office of the Chief Coroner says Porter wouldn't have been able to complete the inquest when it resumes because of her pending retirement.
