Courts
Christopher Garnier seeks to appeal murder conviction
Garnier was found guilty of second-degree murder of Catherine Campbell
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Christopher Garnier leaves court on Wednesday at the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax.caption
Christopher Garnier leaves court during his trial at the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax last year.Convicted murderer Christopher Garnier filed a notice of appeal on Thursday, claiming he didn’t receive a fair trial and has requested a new one.
Garnier was found guilty Dec. 21 of the second-degree murder of Catherine Campbell, and sentenced to life in prison. He was also convicted of interfering with human remains.
In the notice of appeal document, Garnier claims that his charter rights were violated.
“The Learned Trial Judge’s charge to jury was so complicated and convoluted that no ordinary juror would be able to understand it,” the document states. “The verdict of the jury is not reasonably supported by evidence.” Related stories
Garnier and Campbell, an off-duty Truro Police officer, met on Sept. 11, 2015, at the Halifax Alehouse. Her body was found on Sept 16, 2015, under the Halifax side of Macdonald Bridge.
During the five-week trial, which took place from November to December, Garnier admitted he punched and choked Campbell and saw her take her last breaths. However, he testified he didn’t remember disposing of her body in a green bin and wheeling it down to the bridge.
Garnier told the jury that Campbell requested rough sex and it accidently led to her death.
The 12-member jury deliberated for less than five hours before finding Garnier guilty.
He filed his appeal document from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.
A hearing is scheduled in May to determine his parole eligibility.
