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Jury deliberates in inquest into Mexican woman’s death

A still from the video. Lucia Jimenez can be seen in the white sweater. Global News

A jury has begun deliberations today at the coroner’s inquest into the death of a Mexican national who died while in the custody of the Canada Border Services.

Lucia Jiminez hanged herself last December while awaiting deportation at YVR.

On Monday more witnesses took the stand, including the man in charge of the Genesis contract that lays out the duties of the security guards hired by YVR.

The inquest heard up until two months ago, 70 per cent of the checks were not being done at the detention facility due to under staffing.

Last week, a powerful video was presented at the inquest showing Jimenez walking out of her cell with a yellow sheet or a towel draped over her arm. She then goes into the bathroom towards the back of the room and never comes back out.

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More than 40 minutes go by, with no one checking on Jimenez, even though the policy is that the Genesis security guards were supposed to be checking on the immigration detainees every 30 minutes.

The CBSA tried to block the public from viewing the video, citing security concerns, but did not provide the inquest with any evidence of why it should not be seen.

The coroner determined the public has a right to see these tapes.

With files from Amy Judd

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