RCMP pushed Hales into vulgar conversations, defence argues
Did Douglas R. Hales freely admit to hating women and “natives” or was he baited by undercover RCMP officers into saying vulgar things to fit in with a fake criminal organization?
Defence counsel for Hales, who is on trial facing a firstdegree murder charge in the death of Daleen Bosse, argues Hales had nothing going for him until he met the undercover officers and would say anything to maintain friendship and employment with the undercover RCMP officers who were posing as small-time crooks.
One of the officers Hales befriended during the threemonth “Mr. Big” sting was cross examined by defence lawyer Bob Hrycan on Thursday.
The afternoon’s questioning focused on conversations the witness and other undercover officers had with Hales about having sex with women, often described in degrading terms.
Hrycan argued the conversations were one-sided, with the officer pushing the topic while Hales wanted to discuss other matters, such as pets and his son.
“In terms of vulgarity, no stone was left unturned, do you agree?” Hrycan said.
“It was extremely vulgar, ” said the officer, whose named is being protected by a publication ban.
Hales didn’t have much to say because “he simply listened to the sewage spilled by everyone else,” Hrycan argued.
Hrycan said the point of the scenarios in which the conversations happened was “to create the most degrading environment possible.”
The officer replied that the likely point of the scenarios was so Hales would realize the undercover officers shared his sexist and racist opinions.
Earlier in the day, Hrycan questioned the witness about the lies he told Hales as part of the sting and asked the officer if he believed the racist and sexist views he shared with the accused.
The witness said he does not agree with the views, explaining he was playing a role.
“You never considered Mr. Hales was modelling the views for your benefit?” Hrycan said.
The witness contended he was simply mirroring Hales’ beliefs.
“I suggest you were reinforcing expressions of value,” Hrycan said.
Hales’s relationship with the undercover officers led to a meeting with “the boss” — another undercover officer — of the criminal organization. RCMP say that meeting led to Hales taking undercover officers to the area where the accused allegedly killed Bosse, burned her body and hid her remains, a situation recorded by the officers and played in court earlier this week.
Hales, 36, is charged with first-degree murder and offering an indignity to human remains.
Bosse, a 26-year-old married mother and university student, went missing on May 18, 2004. Her remains were found in 2008 at a secluded area near Martensville.
Cross examination of the police witness continues today.