First-degree murder trial of Saskatchewan Mountie set to hear autopsy evidence

Police have testified he was shot, had two large bruises on his upper chest and other injuries.

The trial was told the two men met on Facebook and often shared a bed, after Braden Herman moved in with Bernie Herman and the veteran officer’s family in 2018.

The officer’s wife, Janice Herman, told court that she was hurt by the changing dynamic in her marriage. She said Braden Herman was possessive and would get angry with her husband whenever the officer showed her affection.

The Mountie’s daughter, Jana MacDonald, called the relationship between the two men “weird” and said they were often holding hands around the house.

Janice Herman testified that Braden Herman became more violent and unpredictable after she kicked him out of the home in 2019. However, both the officer and his wife continued to have contact with the younger man.

Janice Herman said she socialized with Braden Herman the night before his death. She also dropped off alcohol for him and a friend on May 11, 2021, the day he was killed.

MacDonald said that day Braden Herman sent her a message on social media about her mother. MacDonald said she forwarded the message to her father, who didn’t seem happy that his wife and Braden Herman were in contact.

Court heard that later the same day, the Mountie sent a text to his wife saying he shot someone.

Const. Richard Wittal told the trial that Bernie Herman’s wife and daughter went to his house and showed him the text.

It read: “I shot Braden. It’s over and done with.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2023.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

First-degree murder trial of Saskatchewan Mountie set to hear autopsy evidence

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