Former Sask. Mountie claims he was forced into sex with man he's accused of killing
This story contains explicit details.
A former Saskatchewan Mountie charged with first-degree murder said he was sometimes blackmailed and forced to have sex with the man he’s accused of killing.
Bernie Herman, a 33-year member of the RCMP, took the stand in his own defence on Thursday.
The 55-year-old is on trial charged with the murder of 26-year-old Braden Herman in May of 2021.
The two are not related.
Herman said he did not intend to kill Braden when they drove to the isolated area where his body was later found.
On the day of the alleged murder, Herman said he took an ATV training course through work. He testified he took his uniform and “gun belt” home to clean it, because the machine he would normally use was broken.
He said on his way home, Braden asked him for a ride, so he picked him up. He said they went for coffee and then grabbed some food. He told court while in the drive-thru Braden pulled-down his pants and made him perform oral sex.
Herman said Braden then suggested they go to Prince Albert’s Little Red River Park. He said Braden was the one who took them to a secluded area in the park.
Bernie Herman, left, and Braden Herman, right, pose in a handout photo provided by Braden's family. Bernie Herman, a former Saskatchewan Mountie, is on trial for first-degree murder in the 2021 death of Braden Herman.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Brett Herman
“I know his motives, he wants to have sex,” Herman testified.
He said they parked and got out of his truck, and Braden took off all of his clothes.
“He pushed me against the door and started kissing me and then he put his hands down my pants,” Herman testified.
He said Braden was upset because he didn’t have an erection.
Herman told court Braden said, “You better not be cheating on me because you know what I’m going to do to you.”
He said he doesn’t remember drawing or shooting his gun.
“All of a sudden, boom, my gun went off,” he said.
Herman said his ears were ringing.
“I seen him falling on his back and then I panicked and took off,” he testified.
He said he drove to an area near the Prince Albert airport, and then contemplated suicide.
“I was staring down the barrel of the gun, ready to pull the trigger,” Herman said.
He said he then called his friend. Court heard he told his friend, “I shot him and ran him over.”
Court heard earlier that day, he called Braden dozens of times.
A recording of one of those calls were played in court. Court heard Braden said “I love you” and wanted Herman to say it back.
(Source: Facebook / Rochelle Rockley Ryley)
According to previous trial testimony, Braden moved into Herman’s home in 2018 and lived with him for about a year.
Herman testified during that time he would sleep with him to help calm Braden's anxiety.
He said Braden began touching him without consent, and eventually they formed a sexual relationship.
Herman said at times the sex “was not consensual”.
He said Braden would “force” him to have sex by threatening to hurt him, send his nude photos to his wife and friends and tell them about their relationship.
Crown prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt expressed skepticism about Herman's testimony, arguing that Braden would have a tough time putting his hand in Herman’s pants since he was wearing a duty belt.
“You have to keep it clipped to your body,” she said.
“I don’t wear it tight,” Herman replied.
She said Herman had the truck keys, while Braden was naked and barefoot.
“You could have got in the truck and drove away,” she said.
Herman said he was scared of future repercussions.
Schmidt said as a trained police officer, Herman should have performed life-saving measures or called for help.
“You waited an hour before calling for help,” she said.
Closing arguments from the Crown and defence councils are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6944656.1719586956!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Biden tries to quell concerns after an unsteady debate showing as he and Trump head to swing states
U.S. President Joe Biden strained to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former U.S. president Donald Trump, as each candidate on Friday sought to expand his appeal in states he lost four years ago.
Russia to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drones over Black Sea
Russia's defence minister ordered officials to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea, the ministry said Friday, in an apparent warning that Moscow may take forceful action to ward off the American reconnaissance aircraft.
Fines related to neighbour's 443 noise complaints at centre of B.C. dispute
A B.C. condo owner who was fined tens of thousands of dollars over hundreds of noise complaints made by his downstairs neighbour was partially successful in having the penalties overturned.
Buying a car? Why you may have to pay more at some dealers if you use cash
It used to be cash was king and that you could get a better deal if you paid for a car in full, but now many dealers want you to finance your purchase so they can make more money.
What is going on with immigration in Canada? Here's what the data shows
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
'Egregious exploitation': Toronto woman sentenced to 3 years for Inuit identity fraud
A Toronto woman has been sentenced to three years in prison after she falsely claimed her two daughters were Inuit in order to obtain thousands of dollars in benefits.
Man charged with threatening to kill presidential candidates found dead as jury was deciding verdict
A New Hampshire man charged with threatening the lives of presidential candidates last year has been found dead while a jury was deciding his verdict, according to court filings Thursday.
Economy grew 0.3% in April, Statistics Canada reports
Canadian economic growth rebounded in April, but early indications suggested it failed to maintain the momentum into May.