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
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
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.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.