RCMP lawyer refers to Dziekanski as a 'whackjob'

VANCOUVER - A distraught Zofia Cisowski struggled to keep her emotions in check as her son, Robert Dziekanski, was picked apart at the Braidwood inquiry.

Ravi Hira, the lawyer for Const. Kwesi Millington, stressed witness accounts that paint Dziekanski as a "whackjob" and an "unusual passenger" and made constant reference to potential alcoholism.

"It's relevant to perhaps the cause of death. It's relevant to perhaps his actions. It's relevant to why he acted the way he did," Hira said after commissioner Thomas Braidwood questioned his approach during closing submissions.

All the while, a heartbroken Cisowski twisted and turned in her seat at every remark and had to be restrained at times by her victims' services handler.

"Oh my God," she cried. "Oh my gosh."

Public observers at the inquiry offered their support to the grieving mother, who confessed listening to the remarks was "so upsetting."

Hira submitted that Millington acted exactly how he was trained to during the incident and not findings of misconduct can be made against him.

"The overwhelming weight of the evidence regarding training support the actions of officer Millington," Hira said. "I respectfully submit Const. Millington acted properly and professionally."

Closing submissions continue.