FAI court process begins for man who died in custody
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The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry into the death of 69-year-old Robert Chalmers.
Mr Chalmers died on 4 April 2022 at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh after being transferred there from HMP Edinburgh to undergo treatment.
The inquiry is a mandatory inquiry under Section 2(4)(a) of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016.
A preliminary hearing will be held on 26 July 2023 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The inquiry is scheduled to be held on 20 and 21 September 2023.
It is anticipated the focus of the FAI will be on the medical care and treatment Mr Chalmers received within HMP Edinburgh and the Western General Hospital.
Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The lord advocate considers that the death of Robert Chalmers occurred while in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”
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