Less than a week after Dennis Oland was found guilty of second-degree murder, his wife and mother say they are convinced he was wrongfully convicted.
Oland was charged in connection with the 2011 bludgeoning death of his father, Saint John businessman Richard Oland.
In a joint statement issued through a lawyer, Dennis Oland’s mother Connie and wife Lisa said they believe he is innocent.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Dennis Oland murder trial
“This week has represented the lowest point of what has been a devastating and unspeakably sad time for our family,” the statement said. “Not only are we certain Dennis is innocent, we are certain the person responsible for Dick’s murder remains at-large.”
The pair added that they are “stunned and shaken” by the outcome of the trial, citing the “circumstantial nature” of the case presented by prosecutors.
The statement says they plan to appeal the verdict.
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Oland had pleaded not guilty to murdering his father, who was found dead in his Saint John office on July 7, 2011, having suffered 45 blunt and sharp force blows to his head, neck and hands.
During the trial, the Crown focused on possible issues of motive including Oland’s financial difficulties and the knowledge that his father was having an affair.
In his own testimony, Oland downplayed his finances as a recurring issue in the life of a financial adviser, and said he had not discussed his finances or the affair with this father.
With files from Global News and The Canadian Press
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