Beer baron's son will be tried for second-degree murder in the death of his father

[spaminator]

Beer baron's son will be tried for second-degree murder in the death of his father
QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, December 12, 2014 11:32 AM EST | Updated: Friday, December 12, 2014 12:33 PM EST
Dennis Oland will be tried for second-degree murder in the death of his father, beer baron Richard Oland.
Richard Oland, 69, who was a prominent New Brunswick businessman and at one time an executive at the family-owned Moosehead Breweries, was found dead in his Saint John office on July 7, 2011. Unconfirmed reports at the time said he was possibly bludgeoned with an axe.
His son Dennis, 45, was arrested Nov. 12, 2013, and charged the following day with second-degree murder.
A preliminary hearing to determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to trial took place over the course of six months and wrapped up in November. All evidence presented at that hearing is under a publication ban.
On Friday a judge ordered the trial to proceed.
"We know that Dennis is innocent," the Oland family said in a statement Friday signed by Connie Oland and Lisa Andrik-Oland. "Throughout this ordeal our faith in him continues to be absolutely unwavering.
"We are devastated that we will have to endure a trial, but we know Dennis will be found innocent in an objective and fair process in a court of law."
The family said pursuing Dennis has taken time away from finding the real killer.
"The question of who is really responsible for Dick's death haunts us. We despair at the time that has been lost and worry the perpetrator of this terrible crime may now never be found and brought to justice," the statement says.
The trial is scheduled to start Feb. 2.
Beer baron's son will be tried for second-degree murder in the death of his fath

 

[tay]

Dennis Oland has been found guilty of killing his father, more than four years after prominent New Brunswick businessman Richard Oland was found bludgeoned to death in his Saint John office.

Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years and a maximum of 25 years.
Dennis Oland, 47, wailed uncontrollably when the jury delivered its verdict at 11:10 a.m. Saturday.

"Oh no, oh no," he said, as defence lawyer Gary Miller tried to console him. "Oh God! Oh my God!"

His wife, Lisa Andrik-Oland, also sobbed and later rushed out of the courtroom. His mother, Connie Oland, was silently doubled over, flanked by her stoic daughter, Jacqueline Walsh, and her brother, Jack Connell.

He has been remanded into custody until the sentencing. Oland appeared disoriented as he offered a weak wave to his family members and other supporters as he was escorted out of the courtroom by sheriffs.

A key piece of evidence in the Crown's case against him was a blood-stained brown sports jacket, seized from his bedroom closet a week after his father's body was discovered.

It had three small bloodstains on it — on the right sleeve, upper left chest and the back. The DNA extracted from those stains matched his father's profile. The chances of it not being the victim's DNA were one in 20 quintillion, a DNA expert testified.

Oland was the last known person to see his multimillionaire father alive during a meeting at his investment firm office on July 6, 2011.

The body of Richard Oland, 69, was discovered in his office the next morning, lying face down in a large pool of blood. He had been "killed in a rage," the Crown had said, with 45 sharp and blunt-force injuries to his head, neck and hands. No weapon was ever found.

Dennis Oland told police he was wearing a navy blazer when he visited his father that night. But video surveillance and witness testimony showed he was actually wearing a brown jacket.

"A reasonable doubt is based on reason and common sense," Justice Walsh said. "It is a doubt that logically arises from the evidence, or the lack of evidence."

Dennis Oland wails uncontrollably after guilty verdict in father's murder - New Brunswick - CBC News

 

[bill barilko]