A Saint John police officer says he was “shocked” by a comment a superior officer made at Richard Oland’s crime scene.
Testifying at Dennis Oland’s second-degree murder trial on Tuesday, Sgt. Greg Oram said he went to 52 Canterbury Street on July 7, 2011, after hearing about a “major event”.
Oram testified he spotted Insp. Glen McCloskey, who said he could go in the scene as long as he did not go past the body.
This is the first time Oram has been called as a witness, according to the defence. He did not testify during Oland’s first trial in 2015.
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) January 8, 2019
As he was looking at the body, Oram said he heard McCloskey say he hopes it was a suicide and turned to see him “half sitting” on a “desk or table or something.”
Oram said McCloskey moved to a different part of the office and he went to join him.
He said they also walked to another area before forensics officer Sgt. Mark Smith appeared and ordered them to leave.
Oram says he would’ve been in the office “about 5 to 10 minutes.”
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) January 8, 2019
Oram said he ensured not to step on anything noticeable but agreed under cross-examination he cannot be certain about trace evidence not always visible to the human eye.
He also conceded he did not know if there was a “safe path” to walk around the office.
Oram also agreed when the defence suggested he took his lead from McCloskey, the most senior officer there, and was not aware Smith was still processing the scene.
Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(File photo/Acadia News)
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