SASKATOON – A former drug dealer, turned police informant is “dishonest” argued a defence lawyer at the first degree murder trial of the 2004 killing of a prominent drug trafficker.
Jonathan Dombowsky, Kennith Tingle and Long Nam Luu have been on trial, facing murder charges, for more than a year.
A fourth man, Neil Yakimchuk, was convicted of carrying out the murder in 2014 and is serving a life sentence after admitting to killing Isho Hana to an undercover officer in a “Mr. Big” sting operation.
Noel Harder, a key witness in the case, was involved in the drug trade at the time of Hana’s death.
READ MORE: Isho Hana murder trial back in Saskatoon court
Harder has testified that Dombowsky told him about a hit placed on Hana by Long Nam Luu. He added that Luu was known to have issues with Hana.
In 2014 Harder was detained by police on conspiracy to commit murder in the Hana case. He testified that he felt the measure was taken so he would speak on the record about his knowledge of the killing.
The court also heard a recorded conversation Harder had with an undercover police officer in 2004, where Harder is heard discussing what he would do to Hana if he became a problem for his business. Harder is heard saying he could live with any action and would make the call.
Harder has testified that he was putting on an act during the meeting in order to help secure a deal with the undercover officer who he thought was a drug supplier. He also claims the suspected supplier was intimidating and pressured him during the meeting.
Combe had the recording stopped at points where Harder claimed he felt pressured or intimidated. The defence lawyer at one point said it was Harder, not the undercover cop, who was pushing the conversation about Hana.
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