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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.