Convicted murderer Christopher Garnier appeals his prison sentence

A Halifax man who strangled an off-duty police officer and used a compost bin to dispose of her body is appealing his sentence.

Christopher Garnier, 30, was convicted in December of second-degree murder and interfering with a dead body in the death of 36-year-old Catherine Campbell.

The conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but a Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice ruled last month that Garnier would be able to apply for parole after serving 13½ years — less 699 days for time served. That means he won't be able to apply to the parole board until 2030, and the board may approve or refuse his application.

A notice of appeal filed last Thursday says Garnier is appealing his sentence as it was "manifestly excessive."

The documents say Justice Joshua Arnold "over-emphasized" the aggravating factor of interfering with human remains in determining Garnier's period of parole ineligibility.

The document, signed by Garnier, says: "I desire to present my case and argument in person."

Garnier had earlier appealed his conviction, in part because he says police interview tactics elicited a false confession.

Veterans Affairs controversy

Garnier was recently at the centre of controversy over his use of Veterans Affairs benefits.  

 ​An expert at the trial testified Garnier developed PTSD as a direct result of killing Campbell and dumping her body. ​Veterans Affairs has been funding treatment for Garnier from a private psychologist while he is behind bars, despite the fact he never served in the military. 

The court heard during proceedings that because Garnier's father also has PTSD, getting treatment for his son helps them both, and Veterans Affairs covers the psychological help.

Minister's response

Last week, Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan said he was going to look into why Garnier was receiving treatment paid for by his department.

"I think I reacted like most Canadians reacted — how could this happen? How could this happen? And we are going to look into how and why this decision was made," Seamus O'Regan told CBC News on Wednesday evening.

"What I can say is that we have a policy at Veterans Affairs Canada, that when we are helping a veteran, for instance, with PTSD, we are there not only for them but for their family," O'Regan said.

"And if by counselling, helping their family, helps the veteran — then we will do that."

O'Regan said each case the department handles is dealt with on an individual basis. He said individual situations come down to the psychiatrist, the mental health professional, the veteran and their family.