Just minutes spent on alleged conversation  

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

The evidence that forced the Cornwall Public Inquiry to spend most of Wednesday in camera was heard in less than 10 minutes Thursday.

Det. Joe Dupuis testified he overheard Michael Neville, the lawyer for alleged sex offender Charles MacDonald, tell a Crown attorney he was willing to waive MacDonald's charter rights to a trial within a reasonable time frame.

MacDonald was first charged with sexually abusing children in 1996. All his charges were stayed in 2002.

On Wednesday, Neville's own lawyer argued his client might have to take the stand himself if that evidence were aired publicly.

To diffuse that possibility, inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude said he was only hearing the evidence to see what Dupuis did with that knowledge - and not to find out if the conversation actually took place.

 Dupuis then said the alleged conversation never affected his investigation of MacDonald.