Accused in Saskatoon murder trial tells judge he knows 'a lot about guns and ammunition'
Court of Queen's Bench heard Greg Fertuck raise concerns about his legal counsel to the judge Wednesday morning.
The courtroom was supposed to hear arguments from lawyers in Fertuck's murder trial for the admissibility of pieces of evidence but was delayed Wednesday morning.
Due to transcripts not being ready, Justice Richard Danyliuk made the decision to delay lawyers exchanging arguments, resulting in a delay of the decision date of the voire dire, a trial within a trial.
The Crown's key piece of evidence is a secret audio recording of Fertuck telling undercover officers he shot his estranged wife Sheree at a gravel pit. In May, new evidence was introduced — a rifle found on a rural property near Kinley, Sask. in November 2021.
A gun expert told court that after test-firing the gun, the casings matched those found at the gravel pit.
Fertuck is charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of Sheree, who has not been seen since December 2015.
Greg Fertuck, right, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to his estranged wife’s disappearance and death.
Aug. 26 is the new date for lawyers to exchange arguments on the admissibility of evidence. The earliest date Danyliuk could set for his decision on the evidence is Jan. 12, saying he was "not thrilled about this delay."
During the trial on Wednesday, Fertuck stood up to address Danyliuk more than four times to raise his concerns about his lawyers not submitting certain evidence to the court.
Fertuck told the courtroom when he spoke with lawyers Morris Bodnar and Micheal Nelson he was "given the shaft" and told that it was "not in his best interest" to submit the evidence.
While standing, Fertuck said after 37 months in remand, he "should have been on bail long ago."
Danyliuk repeatedly told Fertuck that the matter was between his lawyers and him.
In regards to the gun cases matching those found at the gravel pit, Fertuck told the courtroom he knew "a lot about guns and ammunition" and told Nolan the casings would fit anything and wanted him fired.
Danyliuk said he had "every confidence" in his lawyers and that their duty is to do more than "simply say whatever the client wants and do whatever the client wants."
"The duty of a trial counsel is to bring their skill and their experience and expertise and their good judgement to the matter before them and advise their client about what is good and less good to be done in any given circumstances," Danyliuk said.
The judge reminded Fertuck that everything he said would not be admissible in court, with the Crown adding she took issues with his comments.
Bodnar told the courtroom his license to practice law would expire by the end of the year. He was advised by the judge to tell the Law Society of Saskatchewan that he couldn't leave the matter until the trial is concluded.
The decision date for the voire dire is set for Jan. 12, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.