Judge releases Grant interrogation video

For the first time, the public is being granted a rare glimpse into the investigation of a man convicted in one of Manitoba’s most haunting historical homicide cases.

A Court of Queen’s Bench Justice authorized the release of a police interrogation of Mark Edward Grant on May 16, 2007, the day he was arrested for first-degree murder in connection to the death of Candace Derksen, 13, in January 1984.

A jury convicted Grant of second-degree murder earlier this year and he faces a life sentence in prison.

The videotaped statement was the final element of the Crown’s case against Grant.

In it, he repeatedly denies any involvement in Derksen’s death, despite being confronted with DNA evidence police alleged linked him to the rarely-used utility shed where Derksen was found hog-tied with twine and frozen to death.

The interview was conducted by Sgt. Al Bradbury and Det. Jon Lutz of the Winnipeg Police Service.

The questioning spanned many hours but was edited down to 3½ hours for jurors hearing the case.