Kamloops Mounties cleared of wrongdoing in August 2020 stabbing death on Clark Street

Photo: RCMP

Jason Michael Holm

Kamloops Mounties have been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the stabbing death of a man last summer.

Paul Samuel Whitten died in hospital after he was stabbed in an altercation on Clark Street in the West End on Aug. 1, 2020. Jason Holm, 37, is in jail charged with second-degree murder in Whitten’s death.

B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office, the province’s civilian-led police watchdog agency, was called to investigate because of an investigation undertaken by police the day before Whitten’s death.

Police have previously said they were actively looking for Holm before Whitten died.

The IIO announced Tuesday that it had cleared police of any wrongdoing.

“The CCD [Chief Civilian Director Ron MacDonald] has reviewed the evidence, including independent witness statements and police records, and determined that there is no connection between police actions and the events that occurred on Aug. 1, 2020,” an IIO statement read.

“The IIO investigation is now concluded.”

Holm remains in custody. He is expected to return to Kamloops provincial court on Sept. 20 for the start of a seven-day preliminary inquiry.