Former officer testifies about plan to spy on client’s ex-girlfriend
Unlicensed private investigator Steve Walton sought access to a client’s ex-girlfriend’s condo to install spy devices, court heard Thursday.
Former Calgary police sergeant Anthony Braile testified he was part of a team of individuals hired to conduct surveillance on then-Calgary woman Akele Taylor.
Braile, who was dismissed from the Calgary Police Service in 2016, told court he was approached to work for Walton in August 2014 while he was suspended with pay.
Braile said Walton informed him he was working for a wealthy Calgary businessman who was going through a child custody battle with his ex-girlfriend.
“He had stated to me they had concerns about the child and they also had concerns about the safety of the client,” Braile told Crown prosecutor Ryan Persad.
He said covert surveillance was conducted on Taylor for two or three weeks, but was called off since she seemed to be aware she was being followed.
“After week two, it was apparent that the target was heat conscious,” Braile said.
“She was doing U-turns and driving in circles.”
But Braile said Walton — who, along with his wife, Heather, and wealthy businessman Ken Carter are charged with criminally harassing Taylor — continued to track her using GPS devices.
He said he even joined then-CPS Sgt. Bradford McNish in changing devices when the batteries were wearing down.
“My involvement was limited to every 10-14 days, swapping the batteries when they were low and covering the child exchange ... to ensure nothing would go wrong,” he said.
For several months, they would check out the location of Taylor’s vehicle if it left her parking garage.
By February 2013, the surveillance had gone from covert to overt, Braile said.
“He would go to those locations (where Taylor was tracked) and make himself known,” the witness said.
“I was never present. I’m just going by what Steve Walton told me.
“My opinion was he was doing it to intimidate,” Braile said, before Walton’s lawyer, Alain Hepner, objected and Justice Glen Poelman told jurors to ignore the witness’ speculation.
Braile said that, at one point, he was able to ascertain the unit Taylor was living at in a condominium complex off Bow Trail S.W.
He said he was then directed by Walton to attempt to obtain a key from the landlord, then was later requested to offer to purchase the unit.
“Mr. Walton advised me that they wished to put a listening device or video device within the apartment,” Braile said.
He also had a meeting with Carter after a pen listening device had been purchased online.
“They wanted that pen to be present with (the child Carter shared with Taylor) during a visitation,” he said.
The trial continues on Friday.