Today was the first day of final submissions in the Desmond Fatality Inquiry.
Counsel representing the Inquiry, Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Provincial and Federal Governments spoke today.
Adam Rogers, who represents the Desmond family, calls the response from government disappointing.
“The Provincial Government has been very quiet through out this two years plus of hearings they’ve barely asked any questions, barely said a word and then today everybody was given an hour with some flexibility for their closing presentations, the provincial government took about ten minutes to give their closing submissions. So to me that was unbelievable.
He added that he thinks this inquiry will lead to changes in the Nova Scotia mental health services and how they’re delivered.
“Well there’s going to be some changes to Nova Scotia Health and how they deliver services, particularly mental health services to African Nova Scotians coming from this and there seemed to be recognition of that from the health authority, so I would expect that Judge Zimmer in his report is certainly going to focus on that area it’s a big one for this inquiry and one where we’ve heard lots of evidence so I’m sure it’ll be a focus of his report.”
Rogers went on to say that the family has remained brave and resilient throughout this process, even given the delays that were present to date.
33 year old Lionel Desmond was an Afghan vet.
He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2011 as well as major depression and a possible traumatic brain injury.
In January 2017, Desmond entered his family’s home dressed in camouflaged clothing and shot his wife, their 10-year-daughter and his 52-year-old mother, before turning the gun on himself.
The inquiry wraps up tomorrow in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court.
Once all the submissions have been made, Judge Warren Zimmer will provide a written report with his findings and recommendations within the year.
