SAINT JOHN, N.B. — A forensic identification officer with the Saint John police department says some of the 40 blows to the head of Richard Oland were caused by a hammer-type instrument while others were inflicted with a blade-like weapon.
Sgt. Mark Smith is facing cross-examination today in the second-degree murder trial of Dennis Oland in New Brunswick's Court of Queen's Bench.
Oland has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Smith says the blade-like weapon left wounds that were six to seven centimetres long.
Oland, who was 69, was found lying in a pool of blood in his Saint John office on July 7, 2011.
Under questioning from defence lawyer Gary Miller, Smith said it was one of the bloodiest crime scenes he had ever seen.
"Would you agree there was a great deal of force used?," Miller asked.
"It would be an opinion, yes," Smith replied.
The murder weapon has never been found.
Miller questioned Smith about a logbook that Maureen Adamson — Richard Oland's secretary — had given Dennis Oland the evening of July 6, 2011 to deliver to his mother. During earlier testimony, Adamson had indicated the logbook was left on a table in the middle of the office.
The court has been shown pictures of blood spatter on that table, but Smith has testified all tests on the logbook were negative for the presence of blood.
Miller asked Smith that if the logbook has been in the office at the time of the crime, would it possibly have blood on it.
"A possibility, yes," Smith answered.
Many of Miller's questions Wednesday focused on Smith's examination of Dennis Oland's silver Volkswagen Golf and a red reusable grocery bag in the trunk.
Smith said the car was searched for almost 16 hours and a number of different tests were conducted but there were no positive tests confirming any blood.
