The trial of former Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer finished its sixth day Monday at the Bridgewater Justice Centre.
The courtroom was shown a video recorded interview with Collyer in December 2016.
The video opened up with retired RCMP sergeant Brian Richardson, who was part of the Truth Verification Unit at the time,introducing himself to Collyer.
Richardson, who worked out of the Bible Hill RCMP detachment, had been asked days earlier to interview Collyer by the SIRT.
He explained he was there to find out the truth, and had no preconceived notions towards Collyer. He spent the beginning of the interview engaging him in casual conversation, touching on his history as an officer, and his work with kids through the military as well as through schools and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Throughout the interview, Collyer repeatedly stated he wouldn’t talk about the sexual assault allegations at the advice of his lawyer, but many times in the interview, he opened up to questions put forward by Richardson.
Over the next five hours, Richardson pressed Collyer about his relationship with the victim, asking about the activities they would do when alone.
Collyer talked about how they would go on drives, take walks on the beach, or go on shopping trips, with Collyer often buying the victim clothing using his own money.
Collyer said he had even set up an allowance for the victim, which she would receive if her mother felt she did her chores and behaved through the week. He told Richardson it was set up as a way to help mitigate issues at home between the victim and her mother.
At one point, Richardson presented Collyer with Facebook messages he had sent the victim in March of 2016.
The messages, sent from Collyer to the victim over the span of a day, started with a video he sent of a dog tugging on a woman’s dress, exposing her breasts. He then sent a message asking “I wonder if I could train yours to do that?”
Throughout the rest of the day, Collyer sent other messages such as:
– “You are hot”
– “Hanging out in your room? If I were alone, I would get in trouble.”
– “Love you kiddo”
– “Truth or dare might be dangerous in present conditions”
Collyer said he had been drinking that night, something that had become a problem around that time, and that he was “deeply ashamed and mortified” at what he’d sent. He also said he remembers the video being different, and not as graphic.
Collyer agreed the messages were inappropriate, but said it never went any further, even stating he had apologized to the victim’s mother months later.
At one point in the interview, Richardson brought up that given their history, some people may see their relationship as Collyer grooming the victim for future sexual exploitation. Collyer became angered with the comment, demanding Richardson either charge him or release him.
Later in the interview, Richardson asks what kind of car Collyer would take the victim out in. After listing off his cars, Richardson focuses on one in specific, a two seater convertible sports car.
After asking what they did on their rides in the sports car, Collyer described a day where they had planned to wash the car together, but due to unforeseen circumstances, ended up going through an automated car wash, and going for a long drive to let the convertible top dry.
Richardson pointed out the details relayed by Collyer of that day had matched almost perfectly with the details given by the victim about the day the assault had happened. Details Collyer hadn’t heard before the interview.
Collyer denied the claim, saying it would be impossible to do while driving that car, as it is small and is a standard.
When pressed again about the accusation, Collyer denied again and became visibly frustrated, saying “I did not touch that child. That is so against everything I stand for.”
The interview continued, but Collyer became defensive, stating he would not answer anymore questions and requesting to be charged or released.
Currently, Collyer’s case is adjourned until Sept. 9th, where it is expected a child psychologist will take the stand.
Reported by: Cody McEachern
Twitter: @CodyInHiFi
E-mail: mceachern.cody@radioabl.ca
