'I'm not trying to blame Catherine,' Garnier says under cross-examination at murder trial

Christopher Garnier faced more cross-examination Tuesday at his murder trial, as the Crown tried to point out inconsistencies between his testimony and what he told police following his arrest in Catherine Campbell's death.

Garnier, 30, begantestifying Monday in his own defence, telling a Nova Scotia Supreme Court jury thatCampbell had encouraged him to choke,slap and dominate her before she died in a Halifax apartmenton Sept. 11, 2015.

The Crown alleges Garnierpunched and strangled the 36-year-old off-duty officer after they had met at a bar, and then used a green compost bin to transport her body to a steep embankment near the Macdonald Bridge.

Garnier has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and interfering with human remains.

He said after he realized she was dead, his memories of what happened nextare fragmentary.His defence lawyer has called the death "accidental" and said a psychiatrist will testify about why Garniercan'tremember certain details.

Garnier has told the court he put his arm on Campbell's neck and slapped her three times at her request. But Crown attorney Christine Driscoll said Tuesday it would have been difficult for Garnier, who is right-handed, to slap Campbell with his left hand, as he had demonstrated to the jury Monday.

Garnier admittedit wasawkward and said he believes Campbell was hit by his watch. Driscollreplied this was the first time Garnierhas ever made the suggestion about his watch.

"You've come up with an explanation that explains from your point of view what happened and also entirely places the explanation and the blame on Ms. Campbell, correct?" said Driscoll.

"I'm not trying to blame Catherine ... She was nice to me that night," Garnier said. "Just because she wanted to do that doesn't make her a bad person."

The Crown also pointed out Garnier told police during hisinterrogation on Sept. 16, 2015 which came justhours after Campbell's body had been found that he'd struck her with a closed fist.

It also didn't make sense, Driscoll said, thatGarnier testified he picked Campbell up and shook her when he thought she was injured or dead. The Crown attorney noted Garnier had previous firefighter and first responder trainingand said that meant he should have been more careful.

She alsonotedGarnier told police he didn't recall anything either he or Campbell said in the apartment that night, but testified Monday that Campbell asked him to dominate her.

Garnier said he has been "tortured" by what happened the night Campbell diedand that he can't remember why it happened.

"Honestly, I have a hard time living with myself anyway," he said.

The Crown wrapped up its cross-examination shortly after noonTuesday. Lawyers and the judge met during the afternoon without the jury present, and what was discussed is currently banned from publication.

Proceedings areexpected to resume Wednesday.

Garnieris shown on security videodragging a green compost bin away from theMcCullyStreet apartment where Campbell died. Police and the Crown allegeGarnierplaced Campbell's body in the bin after she died, before dumping her body in thick brush.Garniersaid he doesn't remember doing that.

The CBC's Blair Rhodes was live blogging from court. You can follow the live blog on mobile here.