Dennis Oland defence team puts murder investigation under microscope

Dennis Oland's defence team started to put the Saint John Police Force's investigation into his father's 2011 murder under the microscope on Monday.

Alan Gold, a Toronto lawyer known for his expertise in handlingforensic evidence, grilled officers about what they did to protect the bloody crime scene from contamination, and about any potential cluesthey may have overlooked.

• Live blog:Dennis Oland's second-degree murder trial coverage: Sept. 21

Const. Duane Squires, who was one of the first officers to arrive at RichardOland'suptown office on July 7, 2011, after his lifeless body was discovered, told the murder trial there was a large pool of blood around the victim's body and a lot of blood spatter.

"This wasn't a gunshot from 20 yards. It was up front and close with a lot of blood flying through the air," suggested Gold. "Yes," said Squires.

"This isn't scientific evidence, this is obvious" from the crime scene photos, saidGold.

Lead Crown prosecutor P.J. Veniot told the court last week that Richard Oland suffered 40 sharp- and blunt-force injuries to his head and neck, and six defensive wounds to his hands.

Veniotalso said that police later seized a brown sports jacket from DennisOland'sbedroom closet, which had four areas of blood on it thatmatched his father's DNA profile.

The amount and location of the blood on the jacket, which still had a drycleaning tag attached to it,has not yet been revealed.

DennisOland, 46, who was the last known person to see his fatheralive, has pleaded not guiltysecond-degree murder.

Squires said he immediately noted the "smell of a decaying body" when he entered Richard Oland's office and quickly observed hehad"severe injuries" to his head.

"It was obvious, to me, the death was suspicious and violent," he said, noting there was also a knocked over garbage can near Oland's feet, as well as remote control and set of keys on the floor in the pool of blood.

Squires told the courtroomhe ended up having to stand right in the coagulated blood when he helped remove RichardOland'sbody from the office, but he was wearingprotective booties and latex gloves.

He later discarded the blood-covered items somewhere in the crime scene, however, and couldn't remember where, he said during cross-examination.

Squires, who had documented the comings and goings of other police officers, paramedics, the coroner and funeral home attendants, was also questionedabout a door in the foyer outsideOland'ssecond-floor office, whichexits to an alleyway below.

Gold suggestedit would have been the"preferred exit route" for the killer, ratherthandownthe stairs to thefront door of 52Canterbury St., especiallywith a restaurant right across the street.

It was the "nearest, more surreptitious, most hidden exit route," saidGold, questioning whether any officers checked it out.

Squires told the courtroomhe didn't make any notes about anyone going in orout of the door and can'trecall if anyone did.

Witness describes 'slaughtered' victim

Earlier Monday, the court heard from witness PrestonChiasson, who saidhedoesn't remember much about the events ofJuly 7, 2011, but there's one thing he can't forget.

"I saw Richard [Oland] on the floor, slaughtered," he testified.

Chiassonhad been hanging out that morning at Printing Plus, a business located below Richard Oland's investment firm office, when the victim's secretary, MaureenAdamson, came running in around 9 a.m. for help.

Adamson "seemed panicked," said Chiasson.

"She said, 'I see feet upstairs,'" referring to the two legs she saw on the floor, sticking out from under Richard Oland's desk.

Chiasson, who knew RichardOland and would occasionally "pop up" to his Far End Corporation office to visit him, worried the prominent businessman was in"in trouble."

So he accompanied Adamson back upstairs"to help."

He said he was struck by "an awful smell" as they entered the office.

It was immediately apparent there was nothing Icould do.- Preston Chiasson, witness

"It was nauseating," he told the courtroom.

Adamson pointed to twofeet sticking out from under the desk andChiasson, who has first aid training, said "it was immediately apparent there was nothing [he] could do."

The Crown showed Chiasson a series of police photographs of the crime scene, including ones of Oland's bludgeoned body to determine exactly how far into the office he went and what, if anything, he might have touched.

"As soon as [the body]came into view, I stopped moving," said Chiasson, visibly shaken from looking at the graphic photos.

Justice John Walsh, who had warned the jury last week that the photos would be disturbing, reminded them again on Monday.

"I can't cushion you from these photographs. You just need to be ready for them," he said.

The judge alsoadvised spectators in the courtroom, which included some members of the extended Oland family, that they should leave if they didn't want to see the images being displayed on several large monitors.

No one left, but Dennis Oland and his relatives did not look at the photos.

The trial wrapped up early on Monday because the next officer scheduled to testify, Const. Don Shannon, was in Nova Scotia attending the funeral of slain officer Catherine Campbell, his former squad mate.

The judge told the jury the trial schedule"will all balance out" in the end.

Court won't be sitting on Tuesday or Wednesday. The trial is scheduled to resume on Thursday morning. It's expected to run until Dec. 18.