Edmonton Remand Centre lawsuit angers family of stomping victim

Relatives of a man stomped to death by his cellmate at the Edmonton Remand Centre are outraged by the lawsuit filed by his killer.

Barry Stewart, 59, was stomped to death by Justin Somers, 27, two years ago while in jail.Somers is nowsuing the province, accusing the Crown of negligence in not providing him with proper accommodation and medical attention.

"He's the criminal," said Stewart's niece Natasha Stewart. "He's the one that did the wrong. I don't understand why he's thinking he can get something out of it. That bothers me."

Somers, who wasfound not criminally responsible due to mental illness,is suing the province for $500,000.

Documents filed in court saymedical staff recommended Somers, who was mentally ill, be housed alone, calling anything else cruel and unusual treatment.

The documents also say Somers suffered "severe mental anguish and mental distress" as a result of his role in Stewart's death.

Stewartagrees that Somers should have been housed alone butcan't understand the claim Somers' claim to being avictim.

"I"m so angry," she said."The cruel and unusual punishment was to my uncle. He died a horrible terrible death. It was inhumane."

Barry Stewart, who had been serving one night in custody in lieu of paying ajaywalking fine,was stomped26 times over several minutes in front of remand centre video cameras.

Civil lawyers have told Stewart that she and her sisters cannot legally hold theprovince responsible because they aren't immediate family members.

Now one of the lawyersapproached by Stewart family is representing the man that killed him.