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Mayerthorpe: Agreed statement of facts disputed

Man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month in Roszko killings now tells a more nuanced tale

Shawn Hennessey, who along with brother-in-law Dennis Cheeseman pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter in the 2005 shooting deaths of four Mounties in Mayerthorpe, Alta., tells the CBC’s Fifth Estate tonight a story different from the agreed statement of facts read out in court. “There was no talk of Mounties, ever, from James Roszko to myself. Never. He wanted to go home and burn his dope.” Hennessey claims he pleaded guilty to the charge to avoid a protracted, painful trial, and that Cheeseman’s confession was made under duress during a controversial Mr. Big sting operation.

Edmonton Journal

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