Security Guard Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Death of Man with Schizophrenia at B.C. University

In September 2020, Howard Glen Hill, a man with schizophrenia, died after being restrained by Trinity Western University security guard Jack Cruthers Hutchison in Langley, British Columbia. Hutchison was found guilty of manslaughter in the incident.

Hill, who was not taking his medication at the time, had been wandering through student residences on the closed campus when he was confronted by Hutchison, the sole former university security guard on duty that day. Hutchison chased and tackled Hill, putting him in a lethal neck restraint until police arrived. Hill was unconscious when police found him and died in the hospital a couple of days later after being taken off life support.

During the struggle, Hill hit, pulled the hair, and spat on Hutchison, who claimed he acted in self-defense and defense of others. However, the court found that while Hutchison's initial actions may have been justified, he continued to restrain Hill in a headlock for 11-13 minutes, even after it was clear Hill was no longer a threat. Hill told Hutchison multiple times that he could not breathe, and several witnesses saw that he was no longer moving.

Why this matters: This case highlights the need for proper training and protocols for security found dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises. It also raises questions about the use of force and the duty of care owed to all individuals, regardless of their mental state or actions.

The B.C. Supreme Court judge, security, hold, death, campus ruled that the prolonged neck restraint was not always reasonable or proportionate to the circumstances, leading to Hill's death by prolonged pressure on his neck. "A reasonable person in [Hutchison's] position should have carefully monitored Mr. Hill's condition to ensure that he was not being grievously injured," the judge said. Hutchison, who is no longer employed at the university, is awaiting sentencing for the manslaughter conviction.

Key Takeaways

• Howard Glen Hill, a man with schizophrenia, died after being restrained by a Trinity Western University security guard.
• The security guard, Jack Cruthers Hutchison, was found guilty of manslaughter for the incident.
• Hutchison chased, tackled, and restrained Hill in a lethal neck hold until police arrived.
• The court found Hutchison's prolonged restraint was unreasonable and disproportionate, leading to Hill's death.
• The case highlights the need for proper training and protocols for security personnel dealing with mental health crises.