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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
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.