An inquiry that investigated why a former soldier in Nova Scotia killed three family members and himself in 2017 is calling on Ottawa and the province to change the way health records are shared and close gaps in the firearms licensing system.
The system failed Lionel Desmond and his family These changes may prevent another tragedy cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Posted: Mar 05, 2021 6:00 AM AT | Last Updated: March 5
John Borden s assault conviction was overturned in 2017.(Pat Callaghan/CBC)
It started as a trip to a birthday party. It almost ended with a conviction for aggravated assault and a five-year prison term, until John Arthur Borden was able to get that conviction overturned.
The whole experience has left him bitter and distrustful of the Nova Scotia justice system. I ve been mad a lot because I know exactly what happened with me in my life and what I ve been through, Borden said.
He said the ordeal cost him his job, his life savings and what he described as the perfect life.
February 24 2021 PORT HAWKESBURY – Cassandra Desmond, Lionel Desmond’s sister, wrapped up her testimony at the Desmond Fatality Inquiry last Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 16, when she spoke about the day Lionel killed their mother, Brenda; his wife, Shanna and their 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, at a home in Upper Big Tracadie. She recalled preparing supper at her home in Antigonish late afternoon on Jan. 3, 2017, and her twin sister, Chantel, dropping in around 5:15 p.m., on her way home to Lincolnville from New Glasgow. Cassandra said their niece Aaliyah had called Chantel around 4:30 p.m., asking if the after-school program she attended, where Chantel tutored students, was happening that day. (Chantel later testified that there was no tutoring scheduled for that evening, but she told Aaliyah she would still pick her up and they would hang out for a while). Cassandra said Chantel left her house a little after 5:30 p.m.