Adversarial vs. Inquisitorial at the MCC

Emotions were high at times during the 19th day of testimony at the Mass Casualty Commission hearing in Dartmouth. The two RCMP officers involved in the friendly-fire incident at the Onslow Belmont Fire Hall were questioned and cross-examined. And the two officers involved with accessing the condition of victim Heather O'Brien were also questioned directly. It was the first time significant objections were raised by the lawyer representing the RCMP members. And one family member was frustrated enough to storm out over inconsistencies in witness statements. Lawyer and now legal commentator Adam Rodgers shares his thoughts on the long day of testimony and to the value cross-examination is adding to the process. He also weighs in on why the "trauma informed" approach was responsible for causing more harm in at least one example of the hearing investigating the deaths of so many Nova Scotians in April 2020.