‘All of a sudden my gun went off:’ Former Mountie takes the stand at murder trial

By Nigel Maxwell

Content warning: This story contains graphic depictions of sex and violence.

A former Saskatchewan RCMP officer who’s charged with first-degree murder is maintaining he never intended to hurt or kill Braden Herman when they drove to a secluded area of Prince Albert’s outskirts.

Bernie Herman, 55, made the remark on Thursday, while testifying at his own trial at Court of King’s Bench.

The victim, 26-year-old Braden Herman, was shot and killed in May of 2021. He was found lying naked, in a wooded area south of Little Red River Park.

While the two men share the same last name and are both from the La Loche area, they are not related.

Reflecting on the events that occurred on the day in question, Bernie explained he had finished an ATV course and had picked up Braden at an address in the city. The two men then picked up coffee at Tim Horton’s, before getting food at Dairy Queen.

While in the drive-thru, Bernie claimed Braden forced him to give oral sex, holding Bernie’s head when Bernie tried to resist.

“He held it there for about a minute,” Bernie recalled.

From there, the men drove out towards Little Red River Park, turning off towards the ballpark, before taking a left down a bush trail. Bernie testified that after parking in a secluded spot, they got out.

He alleges Braden, then fully nude, rushed at him, pushing him against the truck.

Bernie said Braden grabbed him firmly by the face, breaking a tooth, and demanded to know why Bernie was ignoring his calls. Braden then allegedly put his hands down Bernie’s pants.

“He said, ‘You’d better not be cheating on me,’ ” Bernie said, describing his conversation with Braden.

During the ensuing fight, Bernie — who was still wearing his duty belt and uniform — claimed he saw Braden holding something in his hand.

“Boom, all of a sudden my gun went off,” Bernie testified, adding his ears were ringing as he watched Braden fall to the ground.

“I panicked and I got scared and I took off,” Bernie said, adding he drove to an area near the city’s airport and — while considering thoughts of suicide and holding his own gun to his head — made the decision to call a friend to explain what happened.

According to testimony earlier this week, Bernie also texted his wife.

A non-consensual relationship

After meeting on Facebook, the relationship between Bernie and Braden was at one time described by family members as comparable to a father and son, and Braden lived with Bernie’s family in Prince Albert for about a year.

Testimony this week revealed that while Braden was living there, his relationship with Bernie was sexual and Bernie’s wife was aware of what was happening, pleading for it to stop.

On the stand, Bernie admitted to a sexual relationship with Braden, but said it was “not always consensual” and implied he was coerced to do certain things under threat of violence. He said he resisted holding hands with Braden, but did so out of fear.

“I was like a little sheep being herded,” Bernie said. “He forced me into having sex with him.”

Bernie said Braden followed through on threats of violence, with several instances in which both he and his wife were assaulted “at least a dozen” times.

Bernie also claimed on the stand he would give in and have sex with Braden, to avoid being blackmailed. And attempts by Bernie to end the relationship were met with refusal.

“I’m yours and that’s how it’s gonna be,” Herman said, claiming to quote Braden.

Police have previously confirmed that while Bernie was not on duty at the time of the shooting incident, he left work in full uniform with his duty belt on. Bernie explained the air compressor at work wasn’t working so he wanted to take his gear home to clean it.

While on the way home, he admitted to calling Braden. It was during that phone call that Braden asked to be picked up and Bernie agreed.

Cross-examination

Cross-examination by Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt lasted over an hour and a half as she went after Bernie’s claims that he could not recall what weapon he alleged Braden was holding on the day of the shooting.

“You knew the burger you got him earlier at the Dairy Queen was $7,” she pointed out.

Schmidt also questioned Bernie’s claims about being forced to have sex, and alleging he was at one time kept locked in the basement bedroom.

“You’re a grown man. You’re a trained police officer,” she rebutted.

Following Braden’s death, Schmidt pointed out it took over an hour for Herman to call someone for help and report what happened.

She proceeded to remind him his police training dictates that when a firearm is discharged, a call must be made immediately.

Further noting Herman’s marital issues and the 59 phone calls Bernie made to Braden on May 11, Schmidt cited a text Bernie sent his wife earlier that stated he had enough and Braden had gone too far.

“That’s why you killed him,” Schmidt said. “You shot a naked man in the bushes”

In response to Schmidt’s final remarks, Bernie shrugged his shoulders.

The trial has been adjourned to Dec. 13 for arguments.