Greg Fertuck suffered memory loss during undercover police tactic, defence argues
Greg Fertuck’s lawyer argued the RCMP manipulated an alcoholic liar suffering from memory loss into confessing to murder.
On June 21, 2019, Fertuck told undercover police that he killed his wife, Sheree Fertuck.
Sheree was last seen on Dec. 7, 2015 leaving her family farm near Kenaston, Sask.
Her body has never been found.
Fertuck was targeted in an undercover police tactic in 2018, called a “Mr. Big sting.”
For 10 months, officers pretended to be Fertuck’s friend and offered him work for a fictitious criminal organization.
Fertuck was eventually told to be honest about any unresolved issues that could affect the criminal group, and Fertuck admitted to killing Sheree.
One of the undercover officers involved in the sting took the stand for the fourth day — this time, for cross-examination.
Defence lawyer Morris Bodnar listed all the times Fertuck was drunk during the sting.
“We didn’t encourage it, but we didn’t restrict it either,” the undercover officer said.
In restaurant settings, the undercover police paid for drinks, court heard.
Bodnar then listed all the times Fertuck lied to undercover police, inferring that the confession could also be a lie.
Court also heard Fertuck fell on ice, months into the sting. He was hospitalized from Jan. 10, 2019 to Feb. 15, 2019.
Police resumed the sting when Fertuck was feeling better.
Bodnar questioned how the undercover officers determined Fertuck was medically fit to be targeted again.
He asked whether police retrieved medical reports or got confirmation from doctors that Fertuck was better.
The undercover officer said the decision to move forward with the tactic was made by his superior, adding that officers were able to see he was physically better.
Bodnar argued Fertuck wasn’t mentally healthy, as he suffered memory loss from the fall.
“Greg has a hard time remembering some of the member’s names?” Bodnar asked the undercover officer, who cannot be named under a publication ban.
“Yes, he does,” the officer responded.
Outside the courthouse, Bodnar told reporters Mr. Big stings should be illegal.
“This case shows, I hope, that Mr. Big scenarios and the Mr. Big technique should be banned in Canada … they can get anyone to confess to anything,” Bodnar said.
Bodnar said undercover police lied in the tactic and Fertuck lied to undercover police, so the truth must come from physical evidence.
“Well the physical evidence isn’t there,” Bodnar said.
RCMP found two rifle shell casings at the pit. A speck of blood, matching DNA from Sheree’s razor, was detected on Fertuck’s truck.
The Crown believes Fertuck shot Sheree twice at the pit, loaded her body into his truck and dumped her body in a nearby rural area.
“A very sophisticated organization [RCMP] is dealing with a person who has a major alcohol problem and then on top of that, had a major injury causing memory loss,” Bodnar said.
DEFENCE SUGGESTS SHEREE STILL ALIVE
Bodnar told reporters Sheree could be alive and could have staged her own disappearance.
“I cannot even concede that she has died,” Bodnar said.
Sheree’s children testified their mother followed a routine and was predictable.
Court heard Sheree was family-orientated and it was unusual for her not to come home after work.
Sheree’s semi-truck was found abandoned at a gravel pit near Kenaston with her cellphone, keys and jacket left inside.
Fertuck’s recorded confession has yet to play in court.
The trial is in a voir dire to determine if the Mr. Big sting evidence can be admissible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Mookie Betts leads Dodgers past Blue Jays 4-2; Toronto drops fifth consecutive game
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5, including a triple and an RBI single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.