Sheree Fertuck’s business competitor clears his name in her disappearance
In a Saskatoon courtroom, Jeff Sagen was directly asked twice if he had anything to do with Sheree Fertuck’s disappearance.
“No,” Sagen replied both times, to the Crown and defence respectively.
Sheree was last seen on Dec. 7, 2015 leaving her family farm near Kenaston, Sask. at around 1:30 p.m.
While her body has never been found, Sheree’s estranged husband, Greg Fertuck has been charged with first-degree murder.
Sagen runs both a farm near Kenaston and a gravel hauling business.
Though Sagen and Sheree were competitors, Sagen said there was no animosity or contention between them.
Sagen testified he was happy when Sheree would land a contract, because he was already busy and wasn’t hungry for the extra work.
“I was happy she was working, she had a family to fend for and we were farming,” Sagen said.
Earlier in the trial, court heard Sheree took over a hauling contract Sagen once had because he had under-supplied the gravel.
Sagen testified he used a new loader and miscalculated the amount he delivered.
"I was embarrassed, and we made it right," he said.
The day Sheree went missing, Sagen testified he was working in the shop.
He said he passed Sheree’s semi-truck on the highway at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 7, 2015.
The Crown believes Fertuck shot Sheree twice at the gravel pit and moved her body to a rural location.
Two rifle shell casings were located at the pit.
The prosecution is relying on a confession Fertuck gave to undercover police officers in 2019.
Fertuck was the target of a police tactic called a “Mr. Big sting,” where officers pose as criminals and elicit a confession from a suspect.
The operation is controversial and illegal in many countries including the United States. Defence lawyers argue suspects can be manipulated into making false confessions.
A judge will decide whether Fertuck’s confession to undercover officers is admissible evidence.
The first undercover officer is scheduled to testify Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.