Canada - Barry, 75, & Honey Sherman, 70, found dead, Toronto, 15 Dec 2017 #14

[MistyWaters]

Why couldn’t evidence of a m/s be found in Barrys office or in his computer? Threatening or angry emails to Honey could be located on his computer. Correspondence regarding financial instructions in the even of his death could have been sent or prepared. Or internet searches on how to stage a m/s could be on his work computer. These are some of the things I can think of, I’m sure there are more.

I suppose TPS couldn’t be sure of what they’d find in his office. But what they were seeking and the reason why is required to be outlined on the Search Warrant or Production Order so when/if that document is ever released we will know for sure.

 

[MistyWaters]

As an experienced investigative journalist, KD is trying to obtain information on the case. That’s his job, and he is good at it. As for the warrant material, Justice Pringle has refused three times, but that doesn’t mean he is actually correct in law, or correct or even justified in doing so. JMO

Then wouldn’t we expect KD might appeal the Judge’s decision rather than putting forth the same request four times?

ETA - As for KDs motivation, I’d prefer an arrest by LE and hearing all the evidence at trial. Information the police are already aware of, then published by the media unfortunately doesn’t result in that.

 

[MistyWaters]

If anyone’s interested, the SCC hearing on Oct 6th will be live-streamed on the court’s website.

Supreme Court of Canada - Scheduled Hearings

 

[dotr]

Podcast..
The Sherman Estate and the Supreme Court
''Kevin Donovan is the The Star's Chief Investigative Reporter. He is the author of several books, including “The Billionaire Murders. The Mysterious Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman.” He joins This Matter to give an update on that case and discuss the importance of this case.''
Oct 5 2020
Barry and Honey Sherman estate case to test Canada’s open court tradition in Supreme Court of Canada hearing
''Canada’s long-standing open court tradition will be tested Tuesday at the Supreme Court of Canada in a case involving the last will and testament of murdered billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman.

In Canada, proceedings and documents in court, including probate matters where wills and estates are dealt with, are typically open to the public. With no notice to the media, the Sherman estate trustees obtained a sealing order on Barry and Honey’s estate files in 2018, six months after the murders of the high-profile philanthropists.

On one side of the case to be heard in Ottawa Tuesday is the Toronto Star, which will argue that an important pillar of Canadian democracy is the open court system, which fosters public scrutiny of the workings of the court. As it was once phrased in a century-old British case, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.''


Lengthy article about SR, the guy who allegedly ripped off BS.
"Lovers make the easiest marks": Profile of a romance scammer
By Katherine Laidlaw | September 28, 2020

 

[Warwick1991]

Podcast..
The Sherman Estate and the Supreme Court
''Kevin Donovan is the The Star's Chief Investigative Reporter. He is the author of several books, including “The Billionaire Murders. The Mysterious Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman.” He joins This Matter to give an update on that case and discuss the importance of this case.''
Oct 5 2020
Barry and Honey Sherman estate case to test Canada’s open court tradition in Supreme Court of Canada hearing
''Canada’s long-standing open court tradition will be tested Tuesday at the Supreme Court of Canada in a case involving the last will and testament of murdered billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman.

In Canada, proceedings and documents in court, including probate matters where wills and estates are dealt with, are typically open to the public. With no notice to the media, the Sherman estate trustees obtained a sealing order on Barry and Honey’s estate files in 2018, six months after the murders of the high-profile philanthropists.

On one side of the case to be heard in Ottawa Tuesday is the Toronto Star, which will argue that an important pillar of Canadian democracy is the open court system, which fosters public scrutiny of the workings of the court. As it was once phrased in a century-old British case, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.''


Lengthy article about SR, the guy who allegedly ripped off BS.
"Lovers make the easiest marks": Profile of a romance scammer
By Katherine Laidlaw | September 28, 2020

I didn’t realize that SR, the subject of Katherine Laidlaw’s article, might have ripped off BS. The article didn’t reference that, but it certainly sounded like he had victims in the same neighborhood. SR struck me as a psychopath capable of murder... I think he could be a credible suspect.

 

[dotr]

I didn’t realize that SR, the subject of Katherine Laidlaw’s article, might have ripped off BS. The article didn’t reference that, but it certainly sounded like he had victims in the same neighborhood. SR struck me as a psychopath capable of murder... I think he could be a credible suspect.

BS was one of the victims in the "Trivia for Life" scams that is referenced in that article.
Fifth Estate probes court battle between Barry Sherman and Shaun Rootenberg - SooToday.com
Jan 27, 2018
''Fifth Estate probes court battle between Barry Sherman and Shaun Rootenberg
Slain billionaire was suing Algoma Public Health's former chief financial officer over an online app called Trivia for Good''

 

[MistyWaters]

I didn’t realize that SR, the subject of Katherine Laidlaw’s article, might have ripped off BS. The article didn’t reference that, but it certainly sounded like he had victims in the same neighborhood. SR struck me as a psychopath capable of murder... I think he could be a credible suspect.

SR could be considered a suspect except at the time of the Sherman murders he was incarcerated. He was arrested for the E-harmony fraud charges on June 8, 2017 and held beyond March, 2018.

This is his petition to the court, arguing for his release.

2018 ONCA 335 (CanLII) | R. v. Rootenberg | CanLII

 

[JOJOSAVARD]

The webcast of the Sherman vs Donovan case is on webcast live in case anyone is interested.

Supreme Court of Canada - SCC Case Information - Webcast of the Hearing on 2020-10-06 - 38695

 

[ldlager]

Then wouldn’t we expect KD might appeal the Judge’s decision rather than putting forth the same request four times?

ETA - As for KDs motivation, I’d prefer an arrest by LE and hearing all the evidence at trial. Information the police are already aware of, then published by the media unfortunately doesn’t result in that.

iirc they/he did appeal and were successful in the Ontario court of appeal. Then the trustees sought leave to appeal to the SCC.

Of course we all want an arrest and a trial. But I don’t think the family’s position would be any different if an arrest had been made and the matter was going to trial. I’m pretty sure They would still try and find a legal way to keep the Estate information private, especially if no conviction had yet been made.

 

[ldlager]

If anyone’s interested, the SCC hearing on Oct 6th will be live-streamed on the court’s website.

Supreme Court of Canada - Scheduled Hearings

thanks for the link

 

[MistyWaters]

iirc they/he did appeal and were successful in the Ontario court of appeal. Then the trustees sought leave to appeal to the SCC.

Of course we all want an arrest and a trial. But I don’t think the family’s position would be any different if an arrest had been made and the matter was going to trial. I’m pretty sure They would still try and find a legal way to keep the Estate information private, especially if no conviction had yet been made.

Sorry, I wasn’t referring to the Estate files. The earlier link was in reference to the 600 pages of search warrants/production orders that KD hasn’t been successful in obtaining from TPS.

 

[Kittybunny]

When I see new postings in this thread, I get excited. I understand this case is complex for so many reasons, but I can't help but be impatient at the pace it's moving - slower than the thickest maple syrup!

Still lean strongly towards family, but also always keep an eye on any opportunists that owed BS money or those that BS was suing. Again, who stands to gain from BOTH the Shermans' deaths?

 

[JOJOSAVARD]

Commentary from CTV below.

Unsealing files poses 'grave safety risks,' Shermans' estate trustees tell top court

 

[MistyWaters]

Unexpectedly, this G&M report isn’t paylocked and within it are various arguments made today during the hearing.

Barry and Honey Shermans' estate trustees tell Supreme Court that unsealing files poses ‘grave safety risks’

“After hearing arguments, the court reserved its decision, which is expected in coming months...”

 

[MistyWaters]

Interesting National Post article, quite lengthy -

The fight to keep the inheritance files of murdered billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman secret | National Post

A couple points that stood out for me -

KD was not privy to the private factum, nor the public.

“The secrecy imbued in the case continued Tuesday at the Supreme Court; lawyers for the Shermans’ estates filed two factums, a public one and private one for judicial eyes’ only.”

And this, there must to be more to the estate than the 4 trustees as named in the media or the public perception the estate involved equal division amongst only the four adult Sherman children. -

“They said the files contain names and addresses of innocent parties, including children, and “also provide a link between certain of the affected individuals and the Shermans which would not otherwise be apparent.”

 

[ldlager]

I’m no legal expert, but as an impartial observer, and after watching the proceeding today I have to believe KD et al will prevail.

 

[dotr]

The fight to keep the inheritance files of murdered billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman secret | Cape Breton Post
“Nobody knows anything about this case, that we know of. Nobody knows the motive, nobody knows the assassins’ names.” This exasperated assessment of the investigation into the deaths of Toronto billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman probably matches what almost everyone thinks of the inordinately high-profile murder mystery.

This, though, was exclaimed from the Supreme Court of Canada bench by Justice Russell Brown at a hearing Tuesday into attempts by the billionaire’s heirs and trustees to seal tight a court file on the handling of the couple’s inheritance.

Another justice, Michael Moldaver, speculated the murders must have been “committed by a very sophisticated organization, at least it has those hallmarks,” and characterized is as “a very, very sophisticated crime.”

While the judges’ musings on the spectacular crimes came in a quest to understand the intricacies of legal arguments, they also reflect the conjecture, concern and uncertainty over the unsolved murders.''

 

[JOJOSAVARD]

The Supreme Court has archived the trial from yesterday.

Here's the link

Supreme Court of Canada - Archived Webcasts

 

[dotr]

So which criminal organization might be considered sophisticated?
rbbm.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/barry-honey-sherman-court-estate-1.5752296
''Court speculates criminal organization responsible

Supreme Court Justice Michael Moldaver, who speculated that those responsible for the deaths of the Shermans belonged to a sophisticated criminal organization, questioned whether such a sealing order would have the effect of protecting identities.

"So it's fanciful to think that [the criminal organization] wouldn't know who the beneficiaries are, who the children are, who the grandchildren are and everything else about this family. And so what are we protecting?"

But Cseh said it is speculation to know who killed the couple.


"It could be the case that the murderer has all this information," she said. "But it could be the case that they don't.


"We are so confident that they are so sophisticated that they would have this information that we're willing to unseal the court files?"

 

[ldlager]

Interesting National Post article, quite lengthy -

The fight to keep the inheritance files of murdered billionaires Honey and Barry Sherman secret | National Post

A couple points that stood out for me -

KD was not privy to the private factum, nor the public.

“The secrecy imbued in the case continued Tuesday at the Supreme Court; lawyers for the Shermans’ estates filed two factums, a public one and private one for judicial eyes’ only.”

And this, there must to be more to the estate than the 4 trustees as named in the media or the public perception the estate involved equal division amongst only the four adult Sherman children. -

“They said the files contain names and addresses of innocent parties, including children, and “also provide a link between certain of the affected individuals and the Shermans which would not otherwise be apparent.”

Agreed- I can't help but believe there is something startling in the estate documents. Perhaps a commentary on familial relationships, or perhaps named beneficiaries that extend beyond the children.