Sentencing hearing rescheduled

A sentencing hearing for a Halifax man who killed an offduty police officer and used a green bin to dispose of her body has been rescheduled.

Christopher Garnier, 30, faces an automatic sentence of life in prison after being convicted in December of second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body in the killing of 36-year-old Catherine Campbell.

A hearing to determine when Garnier will be able to apply for parole was held Monday but was adjourned after several legal issues arose.

On Thursday, Garnier made a brief appearance in Nova Scotia Supreme Court and the continuation of his parole ineligibility hearing was rescheduled for Aug. 13 and 14.

Garnier’s lawyer, Joel Pink, told the court the original dates did not work for an expert defence witness who will be testifying at the hearing by video link.

Garnier, wearing a dark sweater and glasses, stood and nodded in agreement to the change in dates.

“Thank you,’’ he told Justice Joshua Arnold.

The Crown argues Garnier should have to serve 16 years before he’s able to apply for parole, while the defence argues for a parole ineligibility period of 10 years.

Prosecutors have said seven to 10 victim impact statements have been filed as part of the parole ineligibility hearing.

Meanwhile, the defence has submitted 31 letters of support for Garnier, including a glowing letter from his common-law spouse Brittany Francis calling him a kind, genuine and thoughtful person.

Garnier strangled Campbell, an off-duty Truro police constable, and used a compost bin to dump her body near a Halifax harbour bridge on Sept. 11, 2015.

He had argued at his trial that Campbell died accidentally during rough sex.

Garnier is appealing his conviction in part because he says police interview tactics elicited a false confession.