Murder trial hears dozens of people would die if $1 million dollars not paid

The target of the blackmail took the stand Wednesday. The identity of this person along with several witnesses are protected under a court-ordered publication ban.

The person testified the letter was left on his desk by an employee who had found it taped to the door on the morning of October 10th, 2017. The author made it clear that the witness, spouse, and everyone close to them had been closely watched. Parts of the letter were read aloud in court.

“We are ready to kill any one of them so my advice to you is pay attention and do as you are told, or my guys will go in for the kill and that is one thing they love to do”

“So here is the game and if you play without cheating you will win as you will have saved a lot of lives. On the other hand, cheat and we promise that you, (your spouse) and a lot of other innocent people close to you, or perhaps you may not even know them, will die.”

The author went on to write; “So just hearing that an individual was brutally murdered on the radio should be enough. That kill will be free and we will not put your name on that body; our gift to you.”

Fearing for the safety of family and on advice of a Sergeant with the Medicine Hat Police Service, the target of the blackmail ended up leaving the city. Police had advised them to not tell anyone they were leaving, where they were going and to not contact anyone while they were gone.

During cross examination of the witness, defense lawyer Heather Ferg focused her questioning around a falling out with a former business partner. The relationship had ended very badly over financial and professional issues and the witness admitted thinking the former partner was behind the blackmail.

Testimony is continuing. The trial is scheduled for seven weeks in front of a judge and jury.

by Regan Tate

Murder trial hears dozens of people would die if $1 million dollars not paid

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