If there is one thing that has been absolutely consistent at the Douglas Hales murder trial, it is that he did not want to go to jail for allegedly killing Daleen Bosse.
However, over the course of the month long trial a Saskatoon courtroom has heard a number of different versions of stories Hales told to a private investigator, RCMP undercover officers and Saskatoon police as to what exactly happened the night he was with Bosse on May 18, 2004.
Hales is on trial for first-degree murder in the death of the 25-year-old woman from Onion Lake Cree Nation.
Bosse was married, the mother of one and just finishing up her teaching degree at the University of Saskatchewan at the time of her disappearance.
Under cross-examination Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Matt Miazga continued to ask Hales why his story has changed so many times.
Hales said he lied to RCMP undercover officers that he killed Bosse as a means of impressing members of the fictitious criminal organization who he feared would harm him and his family if he did not prove himself as a cold, calculated killer.
He said he lied to Saskatoon police after his arrest to choking Bosse to death because his mind was scrambled, he didn’t think the officers would believe him anyway and he wanted relief from intense questioning.
Hales told court yesterday the true version of events was the first story he told Saskatoon police in August 2008 in which Bosse died in his presence from what he believed was alcohol poisoning, he panicked thinking he would be blamed for her death and burned the body.
Nevertheless, Miazga continued to try and poke holes in the inconsistencies between the different stories.
He asked Hales why if he was trying to impress the Mr. Big crime boss, did he tell him he was unable to perform sexually with Bosse.
Miazga also asked him why he didn’t at least try to drive to nearby Martensville when he thought Bosse might have died from alcohol poisoning so he could seek medical attention.
Hales replied he felt he was too intoxicated to drive but the Crown prosecutor said he was more than able to start a fire, remove a number of items from the car, burn Bosse’s body and then drive around for hours until the vehicle was almost out of gas.
At one point Miazga said he was having trouble keeping all the stories straight and Hales agreed saying, “I feel I am the same boat.”
Hales continues on the stand under cross-examination on Wednesday.