The lawyer representing Lionel Desmond’s estate says it’s time to end delays in the soldier’s fatality inquiry.
In a release issued Wednesday, officials from the province’s justice department say they’re still trying to find a facility that can accommodate the hearings while obeying COVID-19 restrictions.
Adam Rodgers, the lawyer for Desmond’s estate, tells The Hawk the municipal building in Guysborough is still the best site.
“I’m not convinced that it was not possible to continue the inquiry in the existing venue,” he says. “There were some space constraints there- there’s 12 lawyers present at most times during the inquiry and some people watching as well in-person, but with some adjustments, I think we could have continued in Guysborough.”
Rodgers says COVID-19 has proved how effective virtual technology can be.
He says the inquiry should be happening in Guysborough.
“It’s important because, of course, that’s the home community for the Desmond family,” he says. “Lots of the people that are interested in the inquiry are in Guysborough, so it’s appropriate it take place there.”
Rodgers says officials had been working on plan to hold the hearings in Port Hawkesbury, which would be the next best choice, in November, but they’ve been delayed again.
He says the inquiry isn’t set to resume until the new year, four years since Desmond killed his wife, daughter, mother, then himself in their Upper Big Tracadie home, and a year since the inquiry got underway.
