Judge appoints law firm to help Greg Fertuck with first-degree murder defence

A Court of King’s Bench justice has approved an application for a Saskatoon law firm to help first-degree murder suspect Greg Mitchell Fertuck with processes and procedures during the remainder of his trial.

Fertuck is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his ex-wife Sheree in December of 2015. Her body has never been found.

The trial began in September 2021, and since then has been marked by several delays including a decision on a voir dire — or “trial within a trial” — regarding the admissibility of an RCMP Mr. Big sting operation that led to Fertuck’s charges in June of 2019.

Last fall, Fertuck’s former lawyers, Morris Bodnar and Mike Nolin, withdrew from the case after learning about complaints Fertuck made to the Law Society of Saskatchewan without their knowledge. Fertuck then said he would represent himself.

During a case management hearing Monday, Justice Richard Danyliuk approved lawyer Brent Little and his firm Little & Co. as the amicus curiae, or “friend of the court.” Little and his firm expect to be able to file any defence-related paperwork by the end of March.

“Mr. Fertuck continues to wish to represent himself, which is his right,” Danyliuk said during the hearing.

Fertuck also addressed the judge twice, saying he had suffered “inhumane treatment” after being “locked up” for 1,310 days. Danyliuk told Fertuck he had the right to apply the appropriate paperwork for a bail hearing if he chose to do so.

“It must be brought on a proper evidentiary foundation … Mr. Fertuck, that’s clear to you?” asked Danyliuk.

A potential date for a decision on the Mr. Big voir dire was also tentatively set for April 28.