National Post (National Edition)
A SAINT JOHN PROPERTY WITH `ITALIANATE STYLE' AND A VERY DARK PAST.
SAINT JOHN, N.B. Commercial edifice can't shake its history
A commercial building in New Brunswick is up for sale, after having been microscopically examined, photographed, scrutinized and widely publicized as a crime scene over two high-profile murder trials.
The listing of 52 Canterbury St. in downtown Saint John boasts of its heritage acclaim and “showcase, Italianate style,” but it instantly is recognizable as the office where Richard Oland, a member of the family that owned Moosehead Breweries for more than a century, was found dead in a pool of blood. A police officer described it as “one of the bloodiest crime scenes” he had seen.
The building was listed Monday as being sold by Anthony Shaw, who was a crucial witness at both trials. He is asking for $550,000. On July 7, 2011, Richard Oland was found dead inside his office on the second floor of the refurbished, 19th century three-storey brick building in a row of commercial properties in the city's historic Uptown district. He had been battered by blunt and sharp trauma.
The building, as a crime scene, was the focus of two trials, its rooms chronicled, photographed, videoed and described by witnesses in intimate detail. The building's back door was important to the defence, who questioned the thoroughness of the police investigation into its possible use as an escape route for the killer.
Court heard that the murder left blood on every wall in the office and soaked through the flooring. It has been professionally cleaned since.
Shaw said he didn't want to discuss the notoriety of the place, his role in the trials or the building's recent past.
“I'd rather not really talk about that. That's kind of all done and put away, all put back in the trunk. I'd rather really not speak about it any more,” he said.
“Unless you're interested in having a look at it, putting an offer in — then, we could definitely have a talk.”
Nor would Shaw clarify his precise relationship to the building.
At trial, court heard that John Ainsworth was the owner of 52 Canterbury and the Printing Plus business below it. Both Shaw and Ainsworth testified at trial, saying they were at the print shop the evening of the murder.
Shaw was an important witness at both trials, saying he heard thumping and crashing noises coming from Richard's office at about the same time Dennis was seen across town.
The real estate listing says there is an opportunity to buy the print shop business as well.
The listing emphasizes the building's more distant past.
“This is one of Saint John's showcase, Italianate style,
brick building(s) with the grandeur of post and beam construction combined with many upgrades,” the listing says.
“This heritage building has been exceptionally well maintained as exemplified in the inside and outside brick work which is in amazing shape.”
Dennis Oland, the victim's son, was found guilty in a 2015 trial of second-degree murder in Richard's death, but the verdict was overturned on appeal. After a second trial, he was found not guilty in 2019.
Dennis was the last known person to have seen his father alive, when he visited him at the Canterbury Street office the evening of the murder, court heard.
After the acquittal, the killing remains unsolved. Police, however, said alternate suspects are not actively being pursued.
The Saint John Police Force said they have no involvement or concerns over the building's sale.
“It's a private sale, so there is really no involvement with the Saint John police in the matter,” police spokesman Jim Hennessy said.
Dennis Oland, meanwhile, split from his wife, Lisa Andrik-Oland, who had stood by him at the highly public trials. She opposed his attempt to sell the family home in June and was granted an emergency intervention order under the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act, according to CBC, referencing court documents.
The couple reached a settlement in December.
Richard Oland went into the family's iconic brewing business, which was incorporated in 1867 when Canada was just three months old.
He became vice-president of Moosehead Breweries before leaving the company in 1981 after a fierce disagreement over its future.
It was one of many family squabbles aired in court. He pursued other entrepreneurial, community and sporting achievements. In 1997 he was awarded the Order of Canada.