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Derek Oland, right, brother of Richard Oland, and other family members leave court Wednesday.Mike Hawkins/The Canadian Press

Rothesay is a picturesque town along the banks of New Brunswick's Kennebecasis River, where many of the grand homes predate Confederation and where the wealthy of Saint John – the Irvings and McCains – live and play.

But the idyllic hamlet of nearly 12,000 is now the backdrop to one of the most captivating dramas to fall on Canada's East Coast in recent memory – the murder of well-known businessman Richard Oland, a member of the Maritime brewing family, and the recent arrest of his son Dennis on a charge of second-degree murder.

After Dennis's first appearance in court this week, a bright light is now being thrown on the strained relationship between the father and son – both prominent figures in the community – as well as the private dynamics of one of Canada's best-known business families.

People around this quiet, conservative town are reluctant to give their names when talking about the family – but many say Richard had a reputation for being difficult. His brother once said he would argue with anybody.

Dennis, meanwhile, has been present in the community for the past two years since his father's death. He is considered more laid-back than his late father, and pleasant. He helps out at his wife's designer fashion consignment shop in the historic area of downtown Saint John. At Thanksgiving, he was at the community auction, happily bidding on items.

Their rocky relationship stands out all the more as Dennis's family, friends and acquaintances close ranks around him. The night of the arrest, family members issued a statement saying Saint John Police got it wrong.

"We believe our nephew and cousin Dennis is, in fact, innocent and we will support him and his family members through the course of whatever legal actions unfold."

The statement was put out by his uncle, Derek, the owner of Moosehead Breweries Ltd., and his cousin, Andrew, the company's president – who also lives across the street from Dennis.

Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid told reporters this week that the investigation was thorough because "we were in no hurry to make a mistake." He added that the case was like "putting together a mosaic" and was "very complicated."

"As it stands our investigation today is pointing clearly to one individual: Dennis Oland," he said. "That is our position today."

The strain in the Oland family is well-documented – in police affidavits and in a book, Last Canadian Beer, The Moosehead Story, by author Harvey Sawler, who had significant access to Derek Oland.

He writes that in 1980 the relationship between Derek Oland and his brother, Richard, also known as Dick, was so tense that Derek tendered his resignation to his father, Philip Oland, fearing that he would name Richard as head of the brewery.

"I couldn't work for Dick because of the nature of the guy," Derek tells Mr. Sawler. "Dick would argue with anybody," Derek is quoted in the book. "It didn't matter who it was."

Mr. Sawler told The Globe that Philip decided Derek would take over. "It wasn't that Derek or Dick made the choice," he said. "Philip knew that Derek was the one to run the company."

Richard left the company in 1981 to run a transport business. In 2007, Derek bought out his brother.

Transcripts of interviews by police with the Oland family members show strained relationships among Richard, his wife and children. (The Telegraph-Journal and CBC went to court to have these police documents released.)

His wife, Constance, "described Richard Oland as having a very strong and controlling personality," according to the police transcript. "She stated that he often displayed inappropriate behaviour to other people." But it was to Dennis that he was the harshest, according to Constance.

Dennis's sister, Lisa, told police that "Dennis was not able to live up to his father's expectations."

It was well known, according to police, that Richard Oland had a girlfriend. She was also interviewed, telling police that he "did not have a lot of respect for his son and thought that he was lazy."

In his interview, Dennis said that as the only son he took "most of the pressure" and talked about having "big fights" with his father that would "blow over quickly." As an adult, he suggested to police, their relationship "has changed for the better."

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