Hales’ trial in Bosse murder to continue

Despite a ruling from the Supreme Court outlining a new test for evidence acquired through the work of undercover police, Justice Gerald Allbright said there would be no mistrial in Douglas Hales’ trial in the murder of Daleen Bosse. Hales’ trial was in progress when the Supreme Court ruled on what is referred to as “Mr. Big” sting operations. Hales was recorded giving graphic accounts of killing Bosse and then setting her body on fire in an abandoned garbage dump near Martensville. He then led undercover police to Bosse’s remains, believing he was showing his newfound gangster friends the scene so they could destroy the evidence. He was arrested two days later and again admitted to killing Bosse while under police interrogation. Previously, statements recorded in Mr. Big stings were treated the same as an admission made to a person on the street. †But, in overturning the conviction of Newfoundland’s Nelson Hart, the Supreme Court declared the Crown would now be required to prove that any evidence obtained was of sufficient value to outweigh serious misgivings about the prejudicial effect of Mr. Big evidence at trial. Allbright said if the case were being heard by a jury he probably would have declared a mistrial.