RCMP hunt for text messages in case
Police sought cellphone, computer, to read online chatter sent after beating death at party
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, February 28, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
RCMP asked a judge to let them browse through text messages of those at a house party where 21-year-old Emerson Curran was found dead last summer, according to court documents.
Curran was pronounced dead at the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Edmonton on Aug. 25, a day after he was found suffering head injuries at the party.
According to the documents, which are used by police to obtain permission to seize evidence in the case, Bourque left the house party shortly after the incident.
One witness cited in the documents said Bourque was told by friends to go to the RCMP the day after the party.
RCMP say Bourque was arrested on Aug. 30. His cellphone was taken from him during the arrest, but according to the
documents, police were unable to unlock it to read text messages about the incident.
Bourque's home computer was seized by RCMP on Nov. 4 in an attempt to gain access to his cellphone.
Other court documents indicate police canvassed Bell and Northwestel to see if they kept records of text messages. Both companies indicated they do not have records of specific text messages.
The documents rely on witness statements from the party, none of which have been proven in court. RCMP say at least 100 people were at the party on Loutitt Street in Frame Lake South.
One witness notes Curran was punched multiple times by Bourque, even after he appeared unconscious. That same witness said Curran "never fought back" and people tried to hold Bourque back from the fight.
Another witness said they saw Curran's head and neck hit a piano bench, bouncing on it while Bourque rained blows.
Another witness said Curran started the fight, saying there was a "heated exchange" between the two. The witness alleged Curran pushed Bourque and threw the first punch.
That witness said he heard Bourque say, "You don't want this, walk away, walk away," to Curran before the fight.
In the documents, the coroner notes Curran died of a "traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage" to the basilar artery - the artery which carries oxygenated blood to the brain. The coroner also noticed deep bruising on the right side of Curran's neck.
Paramedics working on Curran that night said he looked grey and lifeless.
Information on the RCMP search warrants was released on Jan. 29. Bourque was charged with manslaughter upon his arrest on Aug. 30 and released the same day on $15,000 bail.
He appeared in territorial court Tuesday to speak to his matter. His next scheduled court appearance is March 11.
