Appearances aside, TV or Not TV is not becoming a go-to-site for true crime programming. That said, don't you dare miss tonight’s instalment of The Fifth Estate (CBC, 9 PM). On tonight's show veteran, award-winning reporter Linden MacIntyre sits down for an exclusive interview with Shawn Hennessey, one of the Alberta men recently convicted of manslaughter for his involvement in the 2005 deaths of four police officers in Mayerthorp
e, Alta.
MacIntyre has been following the Mayerthorpe story diligently for years, since the events of March 3, 05, when an ex-convict named Jim Roszko ambushed and murdered four cops, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who were on duty at his farm, the sight of a large-and-sophisticated dope grow op and stolen auto parts chop shop.
The deaths shocked Canadians; especially after details emerged that Roszko had a lengthy criminal record, but had served little time in jail. Area residents claimed to be terrified of him.
MacIntyre has consistently questioned whether or not charges against the men, Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman, were justified. The men pleaded guilty to manslaughter after admitting they drove Roszko to his farm and lent him a rifle. MacIntyre questions if the full story's been told. Hennessey and his wife Christine talked to MacIntyre the night before his court date (in mid-January). Hennessey was sentenced on January 30 to a term of 15 years in prison, while Cheeseman was given 12 years by Alberta Justice Eric Macklin.
Oh, one other thing... The Fifth Estate moves to a new time slot next week. As of Friday the 13th (no, I’m not kidding, Friday the 13th) it airs at 9 pm. All in all, no big thing for the Fifth’s demo. Fans will follow it or continue to watch at cbc.ca/fifth. The real shocker is that, as of next Wednesday, The Week the Women Went will air at 8 pm, followed by Being Erica at 9 pm.
I’m a bit worried about The Women. After all, that little talent contest called American Idol is just heating up... It airs on Fox and CTV, Wednesdays at 8 pm. Say what you want about its ‘decreasing’ popularity, but it’s not for nothing that show is called a ‘death star’ by American TV execs.
(Photo of Linden MacIntyre: CBC.ca)
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