Former Sask. Mountie Bernie Herman sentenced to 11 years in shooting death of lover

Bernie Herman was convicted in January of manslaughter in the death of Braden Herman.

Author of the article:

Published Jun 18, 2024 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read

Former RCMP officer Bernie Herman exits the Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert, Sask., Thursday, April 25, 2024. A judge is expected to give his sentencing decision today for a former Saskatchewan Mountie who shot and killed his lover in a park. Photo by Liam Richards /The Canadian Press

PRINCE ALBERT — A former Saskatchewan Mountie who fatally shot his lover in a park has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Bernie Herman was convicted in January of manslaughter in the death of Braden Herman.

The two men are not related.

Lawyers did not dispute that Bernie Herman fired the gun that killed the younger man. The 55-year-old testified that he shot Braden Herman but said he felt threatened.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

Article content

The Crown had asked for a life sentence, while the defence argued for a term of four to six years.

During the trial and closing arguments, Crown prosecutors said the Mountie deliberately lured his lover to the isolated area to kill him, while the defence said the shooting was in self-defence, and that it was unplanned and haphazard.

“I did not believe (Bernie) Herman that he felt threatened,” Court of King’s Bench Justice Gary Meschishnick said when he read his decision in January.

However, the judge said the Crown had not proven the officer was not provoked. A killing must have been planned and deliberate for a first-degree murder conviction, which would have carried an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

The trial in December heard the two men met on Facebook around 2018. Not long after, Braden Herman moved into the veteran officer’s family home.

The relationship became sexual and caused strain on the Mountie’s marriage, court heard. The officer’s wife kicked Braden Herman out of the home in 2019, but the sexual relationship between the men continued.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Bernie Herman told the trial that the sex wasn’t always consensual. The officer said he was afraid because the young man would get violent.

Prosecutors said Bernie Herman’s testimony wasn’t credible, as the officer continued to sleep with and seek out the younger man.

Messages shown in court during the trial showed there was love between the two men, but there was also frustration.

A video recorded by the officer of a call he made to Braden Herman on the day of the killing was played during the trial. The video showed Braden Herman asking Bernie Herman to say that he loved him, while the officer talked about sexual positions and called Braden Herman a parasite.

Later that day, wearing his uniform, duty belt and RCMP-issued weapon, Bernie Herman picked up the younger man and they drove to the park. The Mountie testified Braden Herman grabbed him by the face. He said the younger man, who was naked, walked to the back of the passenger side of the truck and bent down to grab an object.

The Mountie testified he doesn’t remember what happened next, but his gun went off.

Prosecutors said the Mountie deliberately brought home his service weapon and lured Braden Herman to the isolated area with the promise of sex. The officer also confessed to his wife, which shows intent to kill, prosecutors said.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Recommended from Editorial

Judge finds Saskatchewan Mountie Bernie Herman guilty of manslaughter

Family seeks justice as Prince Albert Mountie goes to trial for first-degree murder

Self-defence or deliberate killing: Final arguments in trial of Saskatchewan Mountie

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.

Article content

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Saskatoon StarPhoenix – https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/sentencing-for-former-sask-mountie-bernie-herman-in-shooting-death-of-lover