Jail manager charged following death of illegally detained 21-year-old in Quebec

CBC News

· Posted: Jul 11, 2025 1:29 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 11

Quebec provincial constabulary person arrested a antheral successful transportation with the decease of Nicous D'Andre Spring, 21, who was fatally injured portion being illegally detained astatine Bordeaux jail in 2022.

Sébastien Bossé, 54, was charged with manslaughter astatine the Montreal courthouse connected Thursday. The accused, a Bordeaux jailhouse manager, was released and is expected backmost successful tribunal connected Aug. 22.

In an emailed statement, the Public Security Ministry said the accused was a portion caput astatine the time but was relieved of his duties successful December 2022.

Someone bearing the aforesaid sanction arsenic him co-authored a publication connected the past of the Bordeaux jail. 

The apprehension comes 2 years aft Spring's household demanded an enquiry into systemic racism successful the provincial detention system.

On Dec. 24, 2022, guards fitted Spring's caput with a spit hood and pepper-sprayed him doubly earlier helium was taken to hospital, wherever helium died.

A justice had ordered Spring's merchandise from the jailhouse the time before, but helium remained down bars erstwhile helium suffered injuries starring to his death.

Quebec's Public Security Ministry has described Spring's detention arsenic "illegal" for that reason.

Spring's sister, Sarafina Dennie, said successful the connection successful 2023 that her member needed enactment but was treated by jailhouse guards similar a "rabid animal."

"They enactment a spit disguise connected him and a supervisor ordered agents to pepper-spray him portion helium was inactive wearing the mask," she said. "Correction officers are expected to beryllium trained to woody with inmates with peculiar needs."

Spring was arrested by Montreal constabulary connected Dec. 20. He appeared successful tribunal connected Dec. 23 connected charges of assaulting a bid officer, transgression harassment and possessing a limb for a unsafe purpose. He was besides facing 2 counts of failing to comply with a information of release. He had pleaded not blameworthy to each the charges.