Frustration Boils Over At Inquiry 

Cornwall News AM 1220

February 01, 2007 — Emotions flared at the Cornwall Public Inquiry this morning. Less than an hour into testimony, alleged victim David Silmser stepped down from the witness box and stormed out of the hearings room. Things became tense when Silmser was being cross-examined by Father Charles MacDonald's counsel. David Silmser say he was abused by the city priest while growing up in Cornwall. A court case against Macdonald was later stayed and he was never convicted of any crime. The boiling point came when Silmser's lawyer asked to have a break so he could talk to his client. Cornwall Police attorney John Callaghan wanted to know the grounds of why he needed to speak to Silmser during cross-examination---and that was it. As Silmser was leaving the gallery he said “how do you like that Mr. Callaghan?" Close to an hour later Silmser's lawyer Clint Culic addressed the gallery. He read into the record that Macdonald's lawyer Dominic Lamb did nothing wrong when he was questioning Silmser. Culic said he would try to get Silmser some anger management help before hearings resume Monday. Culic says Silmser may not be able to continue his testimony without it. Meanwhile, Commissioner Normand Glaude says "...we have to be very much alive to situations such as this and to respect people's needs for some time and also we all are in a very difficult inquiry and we'll have to be sensitive to the needs of all parties all the while understanding that there is work to be done and hopefully that Mr. Silmser will be well enough to come on Monday..."