NEW WESTMINSTER, British Columbia (AP) — The chief investigator in the case of a farmer charged in the deaths of 26 women conceded Tuesday that he purposely misled the man during interrogation about what his friends and brother had told police.

In a case that has drawn widespread attention, Robert William Pickton, 56, is accused of killing women whom he lured to his pig farm outside Vancouver, where investigators say he threw drunken parties.

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Most of the victims were prostitutes and addicts who vanished from a drug-ridden Vancouver neighborhood in the 1990s. Pickton denies any involvement in the murders and has pleaded not guilty.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Inspector Don Adam admitted Tuesday to misleading Pickton during interrogation in an effort to get him to confess to the crimes. Adam had told Pickton that a friend, Dinah Taylor, was cooperating in the investigation.

"My understanding at that time is that her parents wanted her to cooperate with the investigation," Adam told defense attorney Peter Ritchie. "But I'm being misleading with him when I'm indicating that things are quite rosy and that she's going to get on board. She never got on board at all. So that is misleading."

Ritchie also asked Adam if he had suggested during the 2002 interrogation that Pickton's brother David was going to testify against Pickton.

"I think I said he's going to assist in the investigation," Adam said.

On Monday, Ritchie pointed out to the jury that three Pickton acquaintances had been arrested on suspicion of murder as well, though none but Pickton was ever charged.

Prosecutors have said evidence against Pickton includes skulls, teeth and blood found on his farm. The jury last week watched an 11-hour videotape of Pickton's interrogation, during which he appeared to acknowledge some of the murders, then say he had nothing to do with them.

Pickton has been charged with 26 counts of first-degree murder. He is on trial for the deaths of six women, and a separate trial will be held for the other 20.

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