Dennis Oland told police his father wasn't 'easiest guy' to get along with

DennisOlandtold Saint John police his father, RichardOland, was not "the easiest guy in the world to get along with," and that they didn't have a close relationship.

He made the statements on July 7, 2011 the day his father's bludgeoned body was discovered in his uptown investment firm office.

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Part of the nearly 2.5-hour videotaped statement was played for the jury at DennisOland'ssecond-degree murder trial on Tuesday.

DennisOland, 47, who was the last known person to see his father alive during a meeting at his Canterbury Street office the night before, has pleaded not guilty in his death.

Const. Stephen Davidson interviewed Oland,starting at 6:01 p.m. At that time, Oland was considered "a witness, somebody to provide information that might assist police with the investigation, Davidson testified.

Olandtold Davidson his father was "never violent," or "totally, completely unreasonable." But, it was "alot easier to keep your distance because it just kept the peace," he said.

RichardOland"wouldsay anddo things that couldbe hurtful," he said.

Theextramarital affairhisfather was havingwith a woman previously identified in court as DianaSedlacekwas also a "family concern," he told police.

His sister, LisaBustin, found a bottle ofViagraand "was convinced that this was a legit thing and that, you know he was a dirty pig, I guess, because of it."

Oland raised the issue with his father's associate, Robert McFadden, saying "You need to tell Dick that, you know, people know.And that it should stop."

Olandspokefondly of his father, however, for hisfinancial support through a"bitter" divorce about four years prior,describing it as a "very pleasant surprise" and the"biggest thing" he ever did for him.

His father "basically bankrolled" the whole thing,giving him an interest-only "loan"of$500,000 or $600,000so he wouldn't lose his home, which had been in the family for 70 years.

"It was a lot of money. And I was grateful for it,"saidOland. "And to his credit, he never threw it in my face."

They also enjoyed researching family history together, he said. "That's why I was over there yesterday."

Appears relaxed, forthcoming

Olandappearsrelaxed and forthcoming during the first 50 minutes of the videoshown in court, often referring to his father as "this guy" and laughing as he described some of his personality traits.The remainder of the video is expected to be shown on Wednesday.

"Been a longday, huh?" Davidson asked at the outset of the interview. "Oh yeah," repliedOland, sittingwith his feet flat on the floor, his hands in his lap.

Davidson askedOlandto start by writing"all the important details" aboutthe daybefore, from the time he got up, to the time he went to sleep.

He lefthim alone in the small interview at the old police station as Oland wrote with his left hand, his head resting in his right hand.

Was he the easiest guy in the world to get along with? No But not to the point where, you know, someone would, you know,who knew him would want to do something to him.- Dennis Oland

After about 25 minutes, Oland said aloud, "I'm done," sat back, crossed his legs and did something on his smartphone as he waited for Davidson to come back into the room.

Then Davidson asked Oland if he had anything on his mind he wanted to start with. "Well, the biggest thingthat's on my mind is, what happened," replied Oland.

"It's pretty clear in my head that he didn't have a heart attack and die something's happened to him," he said.

"So the first thing that runs through your head is, you know, is this one of those, you know,crack-head type things, or whatever, where someone goes in and you know, does that kind of thing like sort of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

'Can't be friends with your son'

Olandgoes on to describe his 69-year-old father as a "healthy guy," who "sails like crazy," and skis about 40 days a year.

"Was he the easiest guy in the world to get along with? No But not to the point where, you know, someone would, you know,who knew him would want to do something to him."

"You will talk to some people and [they'll] say he was a ruthless bastard and you talk to other people and [they'll] say, 'Yeah but.'"

Olandsaid his relationship with his father was "probably perfect," until he was a teenager. As the only son, he felt he "took most of the pressure."

"He had this thing that you can't be friends with your son."

Special occasions, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, were "not always pleasant," with everything "regimented."

"You're on your toes," he said.

He also couldn't sailwith his father, he said. "Hejust barks and barks and barks."

But he did serve asone of his stock brokers for about 15 years, managing part of his investment portfolio, he said.

The court heard earlier RichardOland'sinvestments wereworth about $37 millionat the time of his death.

The trial resumes Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Saint John Law Courts building.