The common-law wife of the man responsible for a mass shooting in Nova Scotia began telling her story publicly for the first time ahead of an inquest Friday.
The inquest heard that Lisa Banfield was beaten and seriously injured by the killer just before he went on a shooting spree on the night of April 18, 2020. She told police and investigators that she ran into the woods and later came out to tell police that her partner he was still at large on the morning of April 19, 2020.
At the time, he was disguised as a Mountie and driving a vehicle that looked exactly like an RCMP cruiser.
The inquiry committee agreed to let Banfield testify without facing cross-examination by lawyers representing other parties, mainly because she could be traumatized by having to relive the violence she suffered.
Also, the three commissioners leading the inquiry recently decided that Banfield will not face questions about the domestic violence she faced during her 19-year relationship with the killer.
Commission counsel Gillian Hnatiw asked Banfield a series of questions about the early stages of the couple’s relationship, which began in 2001 when they met in a downtown Halifax bar.
Banfield said he showed up with two dozen long-stemmed roses on their first date. “I thought it was too much,” she said, her voice somewhat flat.
He also recounted how later that night, he was struck by his reaction when his car was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a young woman. Banfield said he has been polite and unruffled since the accident.
“I thought, ‘Well, this is a good guy,'” he said.
Some family members of the victims are attending today’s hearing, which is being held at a conference center in Halifax.
Banfield is accompanied by two of her sisters, Janice and Maureen.
Hnatiw then showed Banfield a series of photographs of the couple’s cottage and “warehouse” in Portapique. One of the images from inside the warehouse showed the replica of the killer’s RCMP cruiser.
Earlier this week, the commission released a document based on evidence Banfield provided during interviews with RCMP and the investigation detailing the killer’s long history of violence.
Attorney Michael Scott, whose firm represents families of 14 of the victims, says the inquest’s decision to limit questioning will leave Banfield’s testimony in lingering doubt.
During the 13 hours he was at large, the killer fatally shot 22 people, including a pregnant woman and a Moudie. Shot by two Mounties on the morning of April 19, 2020.
