February 04, 2009 — Testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry is over but the bills keep coming for the city. Some would question whether its money well spent. There were 35 police witnesses who were prepared to testify but only 19 took the stand. Deputy Police Chief Danny Aikman is defending the additional preparation and says it was not a waste of money. (Hear audio clip below) The legal cost for Cornwall Police was almost $147,000 for November and December. Aikman says the total inquiry tab for the Cornwall Police will top $8 million by the end of month. However, the province has covered almost 70 per cent. 

[Transcript of audio clip:  “I wouldn’t characterize it as unnecessary  - it was part of the story  and I - I  think  ah certainly the preparations and the interviews with the  various commission counsel  uh  may have ah refined their ability to  ask questions of other witnesses  and I’m sure a lot of the evidence that wasn’t ah derived personally from specific witnesses  was derived through other witnesses”]