Independent review into Samantha Mercer death makes recommendations

The independent review of the investigation of the death of a Truro toddler makes several recommendations.  PEI Police Commissioner and retired Chief Justice Gerard Mitchell conducted it.  Three-year-old Samantha Mercer died March 3rd, 2005 from a severe head injury, and Terry Dean Allen, her mother’s boyfriend, was acquitted of manslaughter in the case.  Recommendations include the Department of Justice conducting regular audits of municipal police services, ensuring small ones have ready access to trained support and assistance, and police investigators getting legal advice from the Crown as soon as practical during a major crime investigation.