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
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
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.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
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.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.