Testimony from a third undercover RCMP officer continued Thursday morning at the Douglas Hales murder trial in Saskatoon.
Hales is on trial for first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Daleen Bosse of Onion Lake Cree Nation who was last seen in May 2004.
The undercover officer, who has been on the stand for the past few days, had the most direct contact with Hales as part of the Mr. Big undercover sting operation.
The officer told the court Hales formed a strong bond with him – referring to him as his “best” friend and saying at one point he “loved” him.
The officer also described the second alleged murder confession Hales gave to undercover officers on Aug. 7, 2008.
He said Hales appeared “satisfied” and “happy” as he described killing Bosse.
In the afternoon, defence lawyer Bob Hrycan continued to imply Hales was coerced into negative forms of behaviour by police.
During cross-examination of the officer, Hrycan said police did not “mirror” the behaviour of Hales but instead encouraged him to display racist, sexist and violent attitudes.
Hrycan added Hales only ever did what the undercover officers told him to do.
He also implied Hales would have done or said anything to be included in a big job with the fictitious criminal organization with the promise of a $22,000 payout.