Light moment at inquiry

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Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 10:00

Local News - By Terri Saunders

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Cornwall


There was a light moment just after the start of hearings at the Cornwall Public Inquiry this morning.

Just as John Callaghan, an attorney representing the Cornwall Community Police Service, was about to continue making submissions before Comm. Normand Glaude, the judge made an observation about a game reminiscent of musical chairs playing out in front of him.

Dallas Lee, an attorney representing The Victims Group at the inquiry, normally sits in the front row of the hearings room to the judge’s left hand. As Callaghan was standing at the podium in the centre of the room, Glaude noticed someone had slipped into his seat, which is in the back row on the centre aisle.

“I notice one thing – that Mr. Lee is sitting in the seat that you occupy,” said Glaude.

“I think Mr. Lee is moving up in the world,” joked Callaghan, a comment which elicited chuckles from other lawyers in the room, “but let’s take a look.”

Glancing behind him, Callaghan in fact observed Lee sitting in the seat normally reserved for the city police’s attorney.

Glaude was quick to point out that when dealing with such serious matters, a little bit of laughter is not always uncalled for.

“Again, a little humour is a good thing in the mornings,” said Glaude.

Callaghan said the public should be aware of the fact that while they may be on opposing sides during proceedings, lawyers attending the inquiry have a personal respect for one another.

“We, as professional counsel, are friends outside the adversity that might appear in the courtroom,” Callaghan said.