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
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.