Murder Investigation of Four (4) RCMP Members in Mayerthorpe, Alberta: Pleas entered

Edmonton, Alberta - January 19, 2009 - On January 19, 2009, Dennis Keegan Rodney Cheeseman, age 23, and Shawn William Hennessey, age 28, both of Barrhead, Alberta, each entered guilty pleas to four counts of Manslaughter, one count each for the deaths of Constable Anthony Gordon, Constable Leo Johnston, Constable Brock Myrol and Constable Peter Schiemann.

On March 3, 2005, Constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann were fatally shot while assisting with a criminal investigation on the property of James ROSZKO near Mayerthorpe, Alberta. James ROSZKO is believed to have fatally shot the four RCMP members before taking his own life. This act of aggression directed towards members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police resulted in the single greatest loss of life of police officers in modern policing history.

On July 8, 2007, after 28 months of investigation that included a lengthy undercover operation involving continuous support and consultation with our colleagues in the Provincial Crown’s Office, Dennis Keegan Rodney Cheeseman, age 23, and Shawn William Hennessey, age 28, both of Barrhead, Alberta, were individually 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 were charged as a party to the offences committed by James Roszko. Section 21 of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC) 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.

The RCMP has maintained a professional and legal commitment to providing Canadians with updates on the Mayerthorpe investigation. While understanding the overwhelming need to know, the RCMP has a legal responsibility to ensure its actions do not interfere with, nor are perceived to interfere with any aspect of the administration of justice. Accordingly our legal ability to disclose many of the factual details has been extremely limited.

Despite having issued numerous news releases and participating in countless media interviews, placing as much information into the public domain as we were legally able to, a great deal of misinformation has unfortunately resulted in many Canadians, including members and employees of the RCMP being misinformed. Details read into the court record speaks to the evidence of the RCMP investigation. This is now a matter of public record.

Deputy Commissioner Knecht, Commanding Officer of RCMP “K” Division would like to specifically commend the families of the fallen four for their patience and support throughout this most difficult time. “We also want to thank the Canadian public and the membership of the RCMP for their patience and support throughout the course of the criminal investigation and ensuing court process, as well as the vast majority of the media who have exercised patience, discretion and professionalism.”

As this matter is currently before the court awaiting completion of the sentencing process, we must restrict additional comments to ensure our actions are not perceived as influencing the administration of justice.

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Wayne A. Oakes, Cpl.: 780 - 412 - 5260 (Bus)
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