Sask. judge allows Greg Fertuck to personally question ex-girlfriend in murder trial
A man accused of murder can recall two witnesses for questioning, a judge ruled.
Justice Richard Danyliuk is allowing Greg Fertuck to personally cross-examine his ex-girlfriend, Doris Laroque and gun expert, Kenneth Chan.
Fertuck is accused of shooting his estranged wife Sheree Fertuck at a gravel pit near Kenaston, Sask. nearly eight years ago. Her body has never been found.
Fertuck’s original lawyers withdrew from the case mid-trial, after Fertuck went behind their backs and made complaints about them to the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
Now representing himself, Fertuck said he wanted to cross-examine two Crown witnesses again, himself — claiming his lawyers didn’t ask what he wanted and didn’t follow his instructions.
“[Fertuck] is convinced, he says, that his own further cross-examination will provide evidence that will prove him innocent,” Danyliuk wrote in a fiat, dated May 11.
By allowing witnesses to come back on the stand, Danyliuk is effectively reopening the voir dire. A voir dire is a hearing to determine if evidence can be used in a trial.
The Crown opposed the decision. It wants to see proceedings move forward to trial.
The Crown claimed the two witnesses were already cross-examined by competent counsel.
“The overarching consideration is trial fairness,” Danyliuk wrote.
“Mr. Fertuck must be allowed to meet the case against him.”
While Fertuck wanted Laroque to testify in the same room as him, Danyliuk turned down the request.
The judge decided she can be re-questioned, but via video link from a different room in the courthouse — as she previously did.
In the fiat, Danyliuk said Fertuck “needs to be mindful of keeping any questions relevant” to the case and not to their personal relationship.
When Laroque initially took the stand in the trial on Oct. 26, 2021, she testified Fertuck drunkenly admitted to killing Sheree.
While Fertuck can question the witnesses, so can the Crown prosecutors.
The Crown is also allowed to bring forward rebuttal evidence, if required, based on any new information that may come out as a result of the questioning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.