july 8th, 2007 news conference - alberta RCMP deaths › deadmonton 2005 › deadmonton › edmonton

On July 8th, 2007, two years and four months after James Roszko killed four RCMP officers and then took his own life, the recently promoted and now Deputy Commissioner Sweeney addressed a news conference at "K" Division headquarters in Edmonton.

Sweeney announced two arrests had been made – the first in connection with the Mounties' deaths.


Cheeseman	Hennessey

Dennis Keegan Rodney Cheeseman, 23, and Shawn William Hennessey, 28, both of Barrhead, Alberta, were each charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Both are pictured above in high school yearbook photographs.

Family members of two of the officers sat anxiously as they waited for the slightly-delayed news conference to get underway. Sweeney then announced the arrests as he read from a prepared statement.

After 28 months of investigation including a lengthy undercover operation and continous support and consultation with our colleagues in the Provincial Crown’s Office, Dennis Keegan Rodney Cheeseman, age 23 and Shawn William Hennessey, age 28 of Barrhead, Alberta have been charged with four counts of first degree murder, one count each for the deaths of Constable Anthony Gordon, Constable Leo Johnston, Constable Brock Myrol and Constable Peter Schiemann.

Cheeseman and Hennessey are charged as a party to the offences committed by James Roszko. Section 21 of the Criminal Code addresses parties to offences and states:

21. (1) Every one is a party to an offence who

(a) Actually commits it;

(b) Does or omits to do anything for the purpose of aiding any person to commit it;

(c) Abets any person in committing it.

(2) Where two or more persons form an intention in common to carry out an unlawful purpose and to assist each other therein and any one of them, in carrying out the common purpose, commits an offence, each of them who knew or ought to have known that the commission of the offence would be a probable consequence of carrying out the common purpose is a party to that offence.

Cheeseman and Hennessey are scheduled to appear in Mayerthorpe Provincial Court on July 12, 2007.

The Mayerthorpe investigation is ongoing as investigators continue with their efforts to ensure every element is thoroughly investigated, documented and processed.

Today we have been able to provide Canadians with the first significant update on the Mayerthorpe investigation. It is truly recognized that many questions remain unanswered. As addressed earlier we have an obligation and responsibility to respect due process. While the investigation is winding down two very important processes, criminal charges before the court and a Fatality Inquiry must be respected. As each process moves into the public domain we will then have additional answers to many more outstanding questions.

[As the] Commanding Officer of RCMP “K” Division I would like to specifically thank the families of the fallen four for their patience throughout this most difficult time. I would also like to thank the Canadian public and the membership of the RCMP for their patience and support throughout the course of the criminal investigation, as well as those in the media that have exercised patience, discretion and professionalism.

The diligence, dedication and professionalism exercised by investigators, support personnel and supervisors involved in the Mayerthorpe investigation has been exemplary. Every step of the investigation was conducted in a professional manner, subject to the same review, approval and management principles applied in any serious criminal investigation. The fact that it took 28 months to reach this point speaks to the fact that every case is unique, some will be concluded in short order, some may take years to solve and some may never reach a point of successful conclusion.

Sweeney and Assistant Commissioner Rod Knecht then fielded questions from the media but little else was revealed about the arrests or the investigation.

"It is truly recognised that many questions remain unanswered," Sweeney said.

"We have an obligation and responsibility to respect due process."

When asked how charges of first-degree murder could be laid against individuals not present at the time of a crime, Knecht answered obliquely.

"It's not necessarily that they committed the crime directly, but they were somehow involved in facilitating the crime," Knecht said.

RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Wayne Oakes then took his turn addressing questions from reporters.

The arrests of Cheeseman and Hennessey took place just hours before the news conference was convened, but sources close to the Last Link indicated a major development in the case was anticipated as far back as June 29th, 2007.

Cheeseman was arrested late Saturday, July 7th, while Hennessey was picked up Sunday morning. Oakes did not indicate where the arrests took place or the circumstances surrounding the apprehensions.

Oakes stated the two men were being held in the Edmonton Remand Centre until their July 12th court appearance in Mayerthorpe. It was expected the two men would appear together to face the first-degree murder charges.

The families of the slain officers were advised by RCMP of the charges as the first arrest was being effected. No RCMP officers, outside those close to the investigation, knew of the charges in advance.

"They're finding out about it just as you are," Oakes told the dozen reporters gathered.

When asked if the families had any comment, Oakes replied they declined, requesting that their privacy be respected (see below).

With the investigation still ongoing, and the two accused having yet to appear in court, Oakes could reveal little about the why the pair were charged or the nature of the undercover operation.

"Today, those charges were sworn before the courts, bringing to a conclusion a very lengthy and challenging investigation," Oakes said.

"As we have gone through the same pain over the last 28 months, once again we have to be in a position of waiting for due process before we can publicly discuss that."

RCMP re-confirmed that Roszko was alone on the property when the four officers were shot.

"To this day we believe that Mr. Roszko, in so far as being on the property and the gunfire that took place, was the only person that was present."

When asked how the two men could be charged with first-degree murder if they weren't at the crime scene, Oakes simply said the charges were made possible under Section 21 of the Criminal Code.

Oakes was also unable to comment if further arrests were contemplated, citing that the investigation was continuing. He suggested all the facts of the matter would come out in court and in possible appeals.

Oakes offered that RCMP are "getting closer to that point" of knowing exactly what occurred on that day in March 2005.

At the time of the shooting, Oakes said a complete picture may never be known. "All [key] parties are deceased."

Two large questions hanging over the entire investigation focused on how James Roszko travelled 30 kilometres in the middle of the night from his aunt's house where his truck was found back to his farm, and he how sneaked up on the officers undetected.

An Edmonton Journal graphic indicated the distances involved. The day's two arrests may lead to those questions finally being answered.

Police confirmed that Cheeseman and Hennessey were known to them, but details were not revealed. They did say the two knew Roszko for a long period of time and lived in the same community.

It was not yet known if the men would enter pleas at their first court appearance.

First-degree murder carries a sentence of mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

A Faint-Hope Clause, available after 15 years imprisonment, is rarely given and is not available for multiple murders.

First-degree murder is defined as the intentional killing of another person (1) with premeditation, (2) in the furtherance of another serious criminal offense (kidnapping, robbery, etc.), or (3) where the victim is an identified peace officer.

The RCMP's official press release covering the arrests can be viewed in its entirety online at their site.

In an eerie twist of fate, a tornado touched down near the town of Mayerthorpe just as the news conference was wrapping up. There were no reports of injuries.

Alberta's Justice Department was to call a fatality inquiry into the circumstances of the deaths.

With the latest development in the matter, the department said the inquiry would be delayed until after the proceedings against the two men had worked their way through the courts, a process that could take years.

Only a few members of the families of the slain officers were in attendance at the July 8th, 2007 news conference, but the actions of one became a symbol of early media coverage.

RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes said most of the families had declined comment when made aware of the arrests.

But within a day, many of those related to the four fallen officers spoke out. Most were relieved by the news and spoke of their support for the RCMP.

Others, though, felt differently » full details »

Return to main Alberta RCMP Deaths page.

deadmonton 2005 - alberta RCMP deaths - july 8th, 2007 news conference