The complete testimony of a man accused of murdering two Edmonton prostitutes will not be heard in his upcoming trial after a judge ruled Thursday his rights were violated.
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Sterling Sanderman said in some instances investigators pushed too hard to get statements from Thomas Svekla.
"I'm not convinced of the voluntariness of the statements," Sanderman said in court. "They are not admissible in this trial."
Svekla, 39, faces two second-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of Rachel Quinney, 19, and Theresa Innes, 36, both prostitutes.
Police tactics included good cop, bad cop, undercover officers in his jail cell and even having investigators posing as psychic healers to get him to release his inner daemons.
Sanderman pointed to one interrogation shortly after Svekla's arrest where he was pushed too hard for statements after officers told him he was a suspect in multiple prostitute homicides.
Evidence then reveals investigators continued to interrogate Svekla the next day after he made it repeatedly clear he did not want to talk.
Other testimony thrown out included officers consulting a psychologist, using his mother to obtain testimony and not allowing him speedy access to a lawyer.
At one point, court heard Svekla telling officers, "Give me your best shot, I welcome my day in court to answer these questions."
Svekla's trial begins Feb. 19.
With files from David Ewasuk
