Former Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis has been fighting against an emergency protection order obtained by his estranged wife in late April – and the details have been released now that a court order has been lifted.
Breanna Palmer asked for the order after she alleged Denis physically, mentally and emotionally abused her over the course of their approximately two-year relationship. Denis denies all allegations of abuse.
In a hearing to determine whether the protection order should be extended, a family court judge heard Palmer's account of an incident where she said she attempted to kiss Denis in bed after a fight. She said he put her in a headlock, then kneed her in the face and made her nose bleed.
"I was scared and I didn't know what was happening and I locked myself in the bathroom and I wouldn't come out. He said it was a mistake."
Denis said Palmer was "performing an intimate act" and he kneed her inadvertently. He said he apologized profusely.
Palmer laid out multiple accounts of terrifying temper tantrums, allegations her estranged husband denied. She said the former minister had taken the drug Lithium for mental health issues. Denis said he was treated for depression while he was in university.
Denis also questioned the timing of Palmer's accusations as he sought re-election as the PC MLA in Calgary-Acadia. Albertans go to the polls May 5.
The two began dating in spring 2013. According to Palmer, their relationship was rocky and they faced conflicts throughout the two years they were together. They were engaged to be married in June of 2014 and wed October 11 of that year. Palmer says she was surprised when served with a prenuptial agreement two days before their wedding day.
Palmer claims the marriage began to break down not long after. Police were called to mediate a dispute between the pair at Denis' Calgary home April 12 as Palmer was moving out.
Palmer says she attempted to make a police report about the abuse but police did not see fit to lay charges.
Denis has been fighting the emergency protection order his estranged wife, Breanna Palmer, obtained against him on April 24.
The proceedings have been under a publication ban. Justice Craig Jones lifted the ban Monday. His decision on whether to extend Palmer's protection order is expected later in the afternoon.
Denis was asked to step down from cabinet by Progressive Conservative leader Jim Prentice the next day. The existence and contents of the order were under a publication ban until Monday.
Prentice released a statement after court proceedings Monday morning: “A marriage breakdown is a tragic circumstance for all involved. And that is what this remains, a matrimonial dispute that continues to be extremely difficult for both of these people.”
The PC leader went on to say he was first made aware of the situation April 13, after his wife received a message from Palmer over issues in her marriage – saying “I was advised that the matter was a matrimonial dispute between Mr. Denis and Ms. Palmer.”
Then, on April 25, Prentice said he learned Palmer had received an emergency protection order – leading the PC Leader to ask Denis to step down as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
Prentice said since then, neither he or his wife had been in contact with Denis or Palmer.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and Denis has denied any wrongdoing.
With files from CTV Calgary’s Bridget Brown
