Judge slaps down 'ill-conceived' allegation of Crown misconduct in Greg Fertuck murder trial
In an unexpected twist in the Greg Fertuck murder trial, the defence alleged prosecutorial misconduct by the Crown.
Fertuck is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the disappearance of his wife, Sheree Fertuck.
In a secretly recorded video, Fertuck told an undercover officer he shot and killed Sheree.
The undercover officer took the stand for the third day.
During the Crown prosecutor Cory Bliss’s re-examination of the officer, defence lawyer Mike Nolin rose from his chair
“Did you and the prosecutor discuss your testimony yesterday afternoon?” Nolin asked the undercover officer.
“No my lord,” he responded.
Nolin said he found it “convenient” that the undercover officer had a quick response to one of Bliss’s question, and alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
“This witness was discussing matters with Mr. Bliss when they left the courtroom. I was five feet in front of them. I overheard the conversation. I didn’t hear exactly what was said, but Mr. Bliss ought not be talking to this witness at all,” Nolin said.
Witnesses are allowed to speak to lawyers about matters not related to the trial, but cannot speak about the case to anyone until they are done testifying.
“It is a serious allegation,” Justice Richard Danyliuk said.
After a brief break, the judge had strong words for Nolin.
The judge called Nolin’s challenge “ill-conceived and ill-executed,” as Nolin didn’t hear the particulars of Bliss’s conversation with the witness.
“It’s a serious matter, it’s an ethical matter … but skate with your head up before I run you into the boards,” the judge said.
Nolin withdrew his allegation.
Had Nolin chosen to follow through he would be taken off the case to be a witness of prosecutorial misconduct.
Danyliuk said he had no question about Bliss’s integrity or judgement and considered it a “dead issue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.