Almost two years have passed since prominent Saint John businessman Richard Oland was murdered and many unanswered questions still hang over the city.
The 69-year-old was found dead in his uptown office on July 7, 2011. Police have released very little information about the case, although they do have a suspect in mind.
“We said all along that we believe we know who in fact committed the crime, and obviously there’s been a number of news releases to that effect,” says Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid.
“We’re going to work very closely with the Crown, as we have been, to ensure an arrest.”
“I think what can often happen is the police are fairly confident that they’ve identified the likely suspect in the case,” says Mary Ann Campbell, chair of the Centre for Criminal Justice at the University of New Brunswick.
“The challenge is making sure the evidence can hold up in court to support their supposition that this is the right person.”
She also says while the public may be eager for answers, it’s best to be patient.
“The last thing you want to do is proceed with premature charges or moving ahead on a case that may end up jeopardizing things later on because you moved too fast,” says Campbell.
Antique shop owner Marcel Doucet says Oland was a customer in his store. He would like to see an arrest made soon, but understands why police are being cautious.
“It should be brought to a head because people get wondering and wondering what’s going on, and why is it just because it’s a big name, and they think this is behind…and I don’t think so. I think it’s evidence, hard evidence, and that’s what they need,” says Doucet.
“It is one of these situations where burden of proof is extremely high and we have to make sure we cross that threshold and we have to do that with the Crown,” explains Reid.
Reid says he expects to have more answers later this year, but that such cases can take years to solve.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
