Dwight Ball says daughter's connection to accused killer Brandon Phillips a family issue
CBC News | Posted: November 6, 2015 1:20 AM | Last Updated: November 6, 2015
Alleged killer not permitted to have contact with Liberal leader's daughter
Liberal Leader Dwight Ball says his daughter's involvement in the highly publicized arrest of Brandon Phillips is a private, family matter.
"I'm a father, no different than many other fathers in Newfoundland and Labrador," Ball Thursday evening said after Here & Now's Jonathan Crowe asked him how much the connection to a criminal investigation has been playing on his mind amid the stress of organizing an election campaign.
Ball's daughter, Jade Ball, is the girlfriend of Brandon Phillips.
Phillips, 27, faces first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in relation to an Oct. 3 robbery at the Captain's Quarters Hotel in St. John's that took the life of Larry Wellman.
Phillips was arrested after a week-long manhunt and has been ordered by the court not to have any contact with his girlfriend.
"It's my daughter, she's 29 years old," Ball said.
"This is an issue right now that's under investigation — is an ongoing investigation — and really of course I'm there to support my daughter as I always would," he said.
The Liberal leader spoke to CBC News from a campaign stop in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
He said he's looking to the people of the province for their support on election day.