Author of ballistics report cross-examined in Sask. murder trial
The author of a ballistics report filed by the Crown in the Greg Fertuck murder trial says he was not aware of what gun Fertuck confessed to using in the alleged crime in an undercover police tactic.
The trial resumed Friday at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench, with RCMP forensic specialist Kenneth Chan appearing via video to be cross-examined by the defence.
Fertuck is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the disappearance of his estranged wife Sheree Fertuck.
Sheree was last seen on Dec. 7, 2015, leaving her Kenaston family home to go haul gravel nearby. Her body has never been found.
Fertuck was targeted in an undercover police tactic, called a Mr. Big sting, in which he told undercover officers he shot and killed Sheree at the gravel pit using a Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle.
Shell casings from a .22 calibre rifle were found at the pit on April 14, 2016, and were sent to a lab to be compared to shell casings seized from Fertuck’s home to see if they were fired from the same gun.
Chan said he used a microscope to examine the three shell casings. However, there was no conclusive finding.
According to the gun lab report, “The expended cartridge case … was neither identified nor eliminated as having been fired in the same firearm which fired the expended cartridge cases.”
The report goes on to say the shell casings “were probably fired in a 22 Long or Long Rifle calibre firearm(s) with a rectangular or slant left firing pin” and that “these characteristics are commonly encountered and there are many makes and models of firearms in which the expended cartridge cases could have been fired.”
Defence lawyer Mike Nolan asked Chan whether he was given the make and model of the gun Fertuck confessed to using to undercover officers. Chan said he was not.
As a result, Chan said he did not check with the gun manufacturer to see if the marks on the ammunition match the gun the Crown alleges Fertuck used.
The report’s conclusion said if suspect firearms are found, it could be possible to identify or eliminate which firearms fired the shell casings.
The trial is in a voir dire: a trial within a trial, to determine the admissibility of evidence, notably the Mr. Big sting.
Justice Richard Danyliuk is set to make a decision on what evidence can be used on March 30.
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.