Many of the families of the victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting are boycotting the public inquiry this week.
Patterson Law represents the families of 14 of the 22 people killed by the gunman on April 18th and 19th, 2020.
The law firm has taken to Twitter to say their clients have asked them not to attend the next four days of hearings.
The statement says the families are “disheartened” and “further traumatized” by the Mass Casualty Commission’s announcement on Tuesday that two senior officers, Staff Sergeant Brian Rehill and Sgt. Andy O’Brien, would not be required to face cross-examination.
Our clients are disheartened and further traumatized by the Commissioners’ decision to not allow their lawyers to be present and participate in the questioning of whom they view to be amongst the most crucial RCMP members, S/Sgt Brian Rehill and Sgt. Andy O’Brien. (2/3)
— Patterson Law (@PattersonLawNS) May 25, 2022
The two officers will be questioned via a pre-recorded Zoom call and only face questions from commission counsel.
“Our clients firmly oppose the Commissioner’s decision and take this action to send a clear message that they will not be associated with this restricted fact-finding process for such critical evidence,” Patterson Law says.
When the 911 calls came in on April 18th, reporting the gunman was in the Portapique area, Rehill was working as the risk manager at the RCMP’s Operational Communications Centre in Truro.
He monitored those calls and oversaw the dispatchers. His role also saw him make initial decisions regarding containment of the community and directing the first responding officers.
O’Brien was the operations non-commissioned officer for Colchester County. He worked from home that night, helping to coordinate the initial response and communicate with officers who were at the scene.
The commission has stated special arrangements can be made for witnesses based on physical or psychological health requirements.
“Accommodations may be allowed to help witnesses with wellness concerns or other private issues so that they can take part in proceedings and share important information,” the Commissioners say. “This may include taking additional breaks during testimony, asking a support person to accompany a witness, or providing testimony by video.”
Meantime, a third officer, Staff Sgt. Al Carroll is scheduled to testify on Thursday via Zoom. He could face cross-examination.
He’s the former district commander for Colchester County.
RCMP released a statement last week saying having senior officers who responded to the tragedy testify in person could undermine the inquiry’s “trauma-informed” mandate.
The hearings are taking place in Truro this week for the first time. Previously, they were based out of Halifax.
