Friend of soldier who committed suicide comes forward to testify at inquiry

OTTAWA – A last-minute witness has been added to the public hearing into the suicide of a Canadian soldier and that is prompting a flurry of objections from federal lawyers.

Mark Freiman, who represents the Military Police Complaints Commission, says the witness came forward just recently and has something relevant to add to the investigation into the handling of Cpl. Stuart Langridge’s death.

Kirk Lackie, a friend of Langridge, is the unexpected addition to the witness list.

But Justice Department attorney Elizabeth Richards says bringing in a new witness may not be fair to the military cops accused of conducting a biased investigation into the suicide.

Richards also says she’s concerned because the witness has a criminal record and the Crown knows little about him.

The chair of the commission is expected to hear arguments on the issue later today.