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the mr. big sting, part two

second court appearance | Cheeseman depressed, Mountie promoted
disclosure delayed | the mr. big sting | first court appearance
courthouse security | more arrests

On March 3rd, 2005 four RCMP officers were watching James Roszko's farm near Mayerthorpe, Alberta – part of an investigation to seize stolen property.

Roszko shot the officers dead and then turned a gun on himself.

For 28 months the RCMP conducted an investigation, along with an intensive undercover operation, involving 200 officers at a cost of $2 million dollars. On July 8th, 2007 a press conference was held to announce the first arrests made in connection the deaths of the officers.

Coverage of the event, and the question and answer session that followed, can be found at the July 8th, 2007 News Conference page.

For more about the Mayerthorpe shooting, visit the Last Link's Final Credits Alberta RCMP Deaths page, written as the 2005 tragedy was unfolding.

With the official word from the RCMP now on the record, Edmonton media outlets ramped up their coverage of a story with nation-wide interest.

Almost encouraged by RCMP Cpl. Wayne Oakes to dig into the background of the story after the news conference concluded, reporters scrambled to see who could uncover what first » full details »

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.

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 »

More Arrests

On their noon newscast of July 10th, 2007, CTV Edmonton reported they had received word that two other persons were arrested – and then released – in connection with the Mayerthorpe murders.

By late afternoon, 630 CHED radio reported that John Hennessey, Shawn's 74-year-old grandfather, as well as Christine Cheeseman, Shawn's wife, were told by RCMP they too could face four counts of first-degree murder.

The station reported the senior Hennessey was questioned by police Monday July 9th. Also subject of a police interview was Christine.

The pair were questioned about what they were doing the day Roszko shot the four officers.

CTV Edmonton added more details to the earlier reports during their supper hour newscast.

John Hennessey was arrested in Barrhead, while Christine Cheeseman was taken in handcuffs from a family home just west of the town. It was suggested both were taken to the RCMP detachment in Westlock.

The pair were released late Monday night without being charged.

Cpl. Wayne Oakes, likely the most-quoted Mountie of the month, spoke to CTV in an off-camera interview.

"I am not in a position to confirm or deny, nor in a position to go into detail about what will be inclusive of the investigation."

Oakes reminded the CTV reporter the RCMP investigation was still ongoing.

"Two people, Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman, are the only two people in custody."

CTV spoke to Barry Hennessey, Shawn's father, about this most recent development. In an emotion-filled conversation with their reporter, the man said his family was "devastated."

The Edmonton Sun added details to the event in a story published the next day.

Dennis Cheeseman's aunt, Marian Power, said RCMP showed up at her niece Christine Hennessey's Barrhead home, handcuffed her niece and took her to Edmonton, apparently for questioning.

Shortly thereafter, Shawn Hennessey's paternal grandfather was also picked up at his home by police.

"That wasn't questioning, that was terrorism," said a man who answered the phone at the home of Shawn Hennessey's parents when the Sun called. The man refused to identify himself.

John Hennessey told Steve Hunter, Shawn's boss at Kal Tire in Barrhead, that he was left in a jail cell for six hours without shoelaces or his belt.

"He said they questioned him for a couple of hours and then they let him out because of his medical condition," Hunter said, not knowing what the medical condition was.

Power said it was "a little ridiculous" that Christine Hennessey was taken in. "The girl has been through enough."

A donation box for Shawn Hennessey's legal bills was set up at Kal Tire in Barrhead.

At the July 12th court appearance, John Hennessey told reporters of the incident.

“It was the same charges, they just had the word ‘pending’ in front of them. It was completely ridiculous. They just do it to make you feel like two cents.”

Courthouse Security

In preparation of the first appearance of Dennis Cheeseman and Shawn Hennessey, Alberta Justice reviewed security at the Mayerthorpe courthouse.

The 52-seat courtroom was expected to be packed with supporters of the accused and a heavy media presence.

"With any high-profile case that goes before the courts, we do a security assessment," said a solicitor general's department spokesman.

"We recognise this is a case that has national interest and it does pose logistical issues."

While precautions were being taken, Cheeseman's or Hennessey's safety did not seem to be a major concern.

Tradition has it that hearings are held in the community closest to where a crime took place.

The location of the preliminary hearing and expected trial will likely be moved to Court of Queen's Bench in Edmonton.

Update: In a likely attempt to reduce the numbers expected at the Mayerthorpe courthouse, the RCMP advised media that Cheeseman and Hennessey would not be making an appearance in court. Instead, only their legal counsel would be present.

Mayerthorpe RCMP advised media and the public that they wished to preserve "the safety and integrity of the court system" and stated entry to the courtroom would be on a first come, first served basis. Media were advised to line up on a designated sidewalk at an entrance to the building.

First Court Appearance

A well-attended July 12th court hearing shed no additional light on the charges brought against Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman.

The two men themselves did not appear; in their place were prominent Edmonton defence lawyers Peter Northcott and D'arcy DePoe.

Judge Ken Tjosvold of provincial court granted a request by the lawyers and adjourned the case until August 9th, 2007.

Tjosvold indicated he may have to disqualify himself from the case because he worked for the Crown's office at the time the four Mounties were shot by James Roszko.

As expected, local and national media were out in force. One correspondent at the scene counted over three dozen reporters.

630 CHED's Byron Christopher said that anybody who didn't have a microphone in his hand had one in their face. It seemed every person within walking distance of the Mayerthorpe courthouse was peppered by reporters for their assessment of the charges the men faced » full details »

The Mr. Big Sting

On July 12th, 2007 CTV Edmonton reported the four first-degree murder charges brought against Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman came about as the result of an RCMP sting operation known as "Mr. Big."

CTV News said a source told them undercover agents targeted Hennessey and Cheeseman in a sting that involved "drugs and strip clubs, large amounts of money – even a private plane landing at the runway at Barrhead."

The station reported RCMP responded to the report by saying only the court process would reveal details of their undercover investigation » full details »

Disclosure Delayed

According to an interview with 630 CHED's Byron Christopher on the Corus radio network's Roy Green show on July 14th, defence lawyer D'arcy DePoe had not yet received disclosure from the Crown as of Friday the 13th.

Disclosure is the process by which the court must provide all the evidence amassed against an indivual charged.

Christopher also suggested that more information about the alleged sting operation may come out at a bail hearing when the Crown has to argue why the two men charged should remain in custody.

At that time the Crown would have to give specific detail was to why it was felt Cheeseman and Hennessey "were a menace to society," as the crime reporter put it.

Cheeseman Depressed, Mountie Promoted

On July 16th, 2007 the Edmonton Sun reported that Dennis Cheeseman was despondent and refusing visitors at the Edmonton Remand Centre. The article also confirmed an earlier report that Cheeseman was being housed in a special unit of the centre – one set up for inmates who may pose harm to themselves.

“All we know is that Dennis really isn't seeing anyone. I really do believe he blames himself,” his aunt Marian Power told the Sun.

Power confirmed the man was on suicide watch for a time after his arrest but was since taken off.

“It was just that he was very depressed and withdrawn,” his aunt said.

Along with Christine Cheeseman – Dennis' sister – she tried to visit her nephew on July 13th. Power said, “He broke down and went back into his cell.”

The woman believed Cheeseman was holding himself responsible for throwing the lives of his family, friends and the Barrhead community into turmoil.

Power cited her nephew's involvement in a Mr. Big sting operation was the reason he was arrested. She said as far as she knew neither Cheeseman or co-accused Shawn Hennessey had been in previous trouble with the law.

The sting operation had Dennis frequently travelling out of province with "Mike" who gave the school drop-out a taste of the high life.

“I think he was either posing as a drug dealer or someone who was going to help them out financially,” Power said of the ploy that also snared Hennessey.

On a side note, the Mountie that announced the breakthrough in the Mayerthorpe case, Deputy Commissioner Bill Sweeney, was seconded to act as new RCMP Commissioner William Elliot's right-hand man in Ottawa.

Sweeney was brought on board to provide operational leadership to the national police force. Elliot, who has no police experience, called on Sweeney to become his bridge to the rank and file of the RCMP.

In an e-mail to all RCMP members, Elliot wrote: "Deputy Commissioner Sweeney will provide invaluable assistance to me in my new role as Commissioner. Bill will also work with me to lead our efforts in relation to the task force the government is establishing to study RCMP issues, including governance and organisational issues."

Sweeney was once considered the front-place runner to become the new Commissioner. He was expected to be in nation's capital for up to eight months.

Second Court Appearance

On Thursday, August 9th the second court appearance for the two men charged in connection with the death of four Alberta Mounties took place in the small Mayerthorpe Provincial Building courthouse.

Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman did not appear in court. Cheeseman remained in the Edmonton Remand Centre while Hennessey continues to be held at a remand centre in Red Deer. Both men were arrested during the first weekend of July.

At the hearing the only matter dealt with was setting a date for a preliminary hearing: May 12th, 2008. A month was set aside for the hearing which allows a judge to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The preliminary hearing will take place in a provincial court in Stony Plain which has larger courtroom facilities. Should the case go to trial, proceedings would be held in Court of Queen's Bench in Edmonton.

As was the case at the first court appearance, the media was out in force. The small Mayerthorpe courtroom was packed with family members and friends of the two accused in addition to a heavy security presence » full details »

Mr. Big Sting, part two

On August 18th, 2007 the National Post ran a story about the making of a documentary that takes a hard look at the Mr. Big sting technique » full details »

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