Elizabeth Fry Society argues to join Kinew James inquest

The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies is in a Saskatoon courtroom today trying to get a judge to overturn a coroner's decision.

The group wants to participate in an inquest into the 2013 death of Kinew James. The 35-year-old died at the Regional Psychiatric Centre of an apparent heart attack.

She was found unresponsive in her cell and taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

In afederal Corrections investigation report, inmates in neighbouring cells alleged staff ignored her calls for help.

• Corrections investigation of Kinew James death at RPC finds medical response too slow
• Elizabeth Fry Societies denied standing at Sask. inquiry into aboriginal woman's death

In November,coroner Tim Hawrylukthe inquest denied the advocacy group standing.

"I have concluded that your clients do not have a substantial interest in this inquest," he wrote at the time.

Elizabeth Fryappealed that ruling and made both oral and written arguments at Court of Queen's Bench this morning.

Lawyer Gillian Goughsaid that Elizabeth Fry represents the interests of womenin jail and prison across the country and has "substantial, special knowledge.

"It would bring a deeper, different level of scrutiny," said Gough.

The inquest is scheduled to begin April 25.