The jury in the murder trial for Christopher Calvin Garnier heard testimony Thursday that centered around surveillance video that was found during the preliminary investigation into the disappearance and death of off duty Truro police officer Catherine Campbell.
Garnier has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body.
RCMP Sgt. Charla Keddy explained for the jury camera footage taken near the McCully street residence. A male was observed with no footwear just after 4:30 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 11, 2015. The male moved around a tree. A green bin was pulled around a piece of wood and pulled across nearby Agricola Street. A mattress was also seen.
The crown has said they believe that after Cambell was strangled, her body was removed from the area in a green bin.
Halifax Regional Police Officer Christian Pluta, who assisted the investigation by checking surveillance cameras on Brunswick Street was first to take the stand Thursday and said a woman matching Campbell's description was last seen in the area at 3:48 a.m.
Cab driver Simon Zekarias also testified and said he picked up a slim blonde haired female in jeans with a male companion on Sackville Street and took them to McCully Street.
"There was a kind of tension," between the two passengers but no fighting, he said.
While Zekarias smelled alcohol on the man, he said he did not seem drunk. Zekarias was driving a 2005 Dodge Caravan and the passengers sat on the middle row.
Zekarias was shown an aerial photo of the area round 5714 McCully and identified it as where he drove his passengers.
Halifax Regional Police officer Marshall Hewitt testified that he visited 5714 McCully Street and photographed the apartment, including the rooms, closet, furniture etc. When he saw what appeared to be blood he said he marked its location. Photos of the scene were shown to the court.
One item Hewitt examined was a tissue box on the coffee table. A Hemastix test for blood on the box's bottom came up positive.
Warehouse manager Shaun Kenney who was Garnier's employer in Burnside, also took the stand Thursday. He interviewed and hired Garnier and offered him the job on Sept. 10, 2015. His first day was Sept. 14 and he dealt in life rafts for the job that he and Kenney picked up at Pier 25 in Halifax. Kenney told the court that Garnier's demeanour throughout was "professional". His mood showed "no change" and "the attitude was the same." Garnier was present on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 but not Sept.16.
The last witness to take the stand was Jacqueline MacNeil who worked as a manager at the Soma Vein & Laser Centre on 2622 Agricola Street. On Sept. 11, 2015 she drove to work and noticed the parking lot where she usually parked was blocked by a piece of wood. Normally the wood separated the laser centre's lot from a neighbouring back yard. She also mentioned surveillance footage from her business and that she spoke with Sgt. Keddy from the RCMP. MacNeil identified the piece of wood in a photo at court.
Sept. 15, 2015: Catherine Campbell death a homicide
Police confirm they have found the remains of Catherine Campbell and are treating her death as a homicide. A suspect is in custody.
Sept. 17, 2015: Charges laid in Campbell death
A second-degree murder charge has been laid in the murder of Truro Police Service Const. Catherine Campbell.
Sept. 21, 2015: Funeral procession for Catherine Campbell today
A funeral procession will be held today in honour of Cst. Catherine Campbell.
Sept. 22, 2015: Halifax police receive tips about green bin in Catherine Campbell killing
Halifax Regional Police say they've received "solid information" after last week's plea for tips in the Catherine Campbell case.
Sept. 30, 2015: Lawyer for murder accused requests delay to Dec. 15
The Halifax man accused of slaying an off-duty Truro police officer is in a "state of shock," says his lawyer.
Sept. 30, 2015: Man accused of killing Catherine Campbell has case set over until December
The latest in the case of a 27-year-old Halifax man accused of killing an off-duty police officer has been held over until December.
March 18, 2016,: Accused in murder of Nova Scotia officer confessed to crime: police affidavit
A 28-year-old man accused of killing a Nova Scotia police officer allegedly confessed to being responsible for her death, telling investigators he strangled her and heard "her last gasp," according to an affidavit filed by police in provincial court.
Nov. 29, 2016: Walk to honour Catherine Campbell, also for UN's 16 Days of Activism
The family of Catherine Campbell is hosting a walk in her memory and also in recognition of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, scheduled for this weekend.
Feb. 21, 2017: Halifax man accused of killing off-duty police officer back behind bars
The man accused of killing an off-duty police officer in Nova Scotia is back behind bars for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.
April 5, 2017: Father kicked out of courtroom at Christopher Garnier's bail revocation hearing in Halifax
The father of the Halifax man accused of killing off-duty Truro police officer Catherine Campbell in 2015 was kicked out of the courtroom at a bail revocation hearing in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Aug. 3, 2017: Publication ban sought on officer Catherine Campbell's personal information
An application is being made Aug. 8 for a publication ban pertaining to the personal activity and employment records of murdered Truro Police officer Catherine Campbell, during the upcoming trial of Christopher Calvin Garnier.
Nov. 20: Jury selection begins in trial of man charged in death of police officer Catherine Campbell
Jury selection has begun in the trial of a Nova Scotia man accused of killing an off-duty police officer in Halifax.
