Canadian True Crime Karen and Krista Hart [2]
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Jan 22, 2022 In a gripping murder case that shook the Canadian justice system, the podcast dives into the tangled web of coercive confessions. An undercover operation pressed Nelson into admitting to the drowning of his daughters, while the reliability of these confessions comes under scrutiny. As the legal battle unfolds, issues of mental health and the integrity of investigative tactics emerge. Ultimately, a Supreme Court ruling questions the fairness of the ‘Mr. Big’ method, leading to Nelson's release after years of wrongful imprisonment.
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Undercover Sting Cultivated A Confession
- RCMP undercover officers cultivated Nelson Hart's trust by offering money, staged punishments, and promises of a big deal to secure his loyalty.
- Nelson ultimately confessed to 'Mr Big' and reenacted pushing his daughters, leading to his arrest four days later.
Epilepsy Central To Defence Narrative
- The defence presented extensive testimony about Nelson's severe epilepsy, its triggers, and post-seizure confusion to support his accidental-seizure claim.
- Doctors testified seizures can cause blackouts and variable recovery times, complicating assessment of his ability to drive or act that day.
Past Successes Don't Eliminate Risks
- RCMP reported hundreds of convictions stemming from Mr Big operations but the Supreme Court highlighted substantial risk of wrongful convictions.
- The tactic's past success doesn't eliminate its potential to produce miscarriages of justice.