Garnier left message disclosing trip to visit mother, police review board hears

A Nova Scotia man accused of murder andawaiting trialin 2017left a voice message on a Halifax Regional Police answering service detailing a trip home to visit his mother, the province's police review board heard Monday.

TheFebruary 2017 message was played at thehearing into complaints over ChristopherGarnier's arrest for breaching conditions of his bail.

Garnier's message disclosed aforthcoming visit to his "mother's house in Millville" for the weekend of Feb. 17-19, 2017. It was left on an answering service for people released on court-imposed conditions.

The departmentlater sought to arrest Garnier, whowas charged at the time with second-degree murder in the death of Catherine Campbell, an off-duty police officer from Truro.

He was found guilty in December 2017.

'Lost in translation'

Const. Mike Stevens of the Halifax Regional Police saidhe did not check the messaging service before or after Garnier's arrest, as that was the responsibility of other officers in his department.

Garnier's message,presented to him by the other officers,"might have been lost in translation," Stevens said.

Hecouldn't provide his own notes from Garnier's arrest that Februarybecause he said theyare missing.

Board chair Jean McKenna pointed out the Sydney hearing is not meant to find fault within the Halifax department, but is insteadmeant to examine the actions of four members of the Cape Breton Regional Police.

The constables accused of misconduct are Steve Campbell, Gary Fraser, Dennis McSween and Troy Walker.

Complaint filed by Garnier's father

Garnier's father, Vincent Garnier, filed a complaint against the Cape Breton department accusing the force of unlawfully arresting his son, taking photographs on private property without the knowledge or consent of the homeowner, and inviting themselves into the home where his son was staying.

A complaint was also filed against Halifax police, but the matter was not referred to the review board.

Christopher Garnier's whereabouts came into question after police conducted a compliance check in the early morning hours of Feb. 18, 2017.

A Cape Breton officerknocked on two doors at Garnier's mother's home, but no one answered.

Charges were pursued against Garnier after he told police he hadn't hearda knock, said Const. Stevens.

Had always complied with checks

He said prior to theincident, Garnier always complied with checks at his Bedford residence.

A Supreme Court judge later ruled that Garnier did not intentionally breach his conditions, as he was likely asleep.

Members of the three-member review boardpanel will consider written arguments in the case. It is unknown when their decision or findings will be released.

A lawyer for the Cape Breton Regional Police said Monday that he didn't see any evidence of misconduct.

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