Traigo Andretti appeared in a Winnipeg court on Monday, facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of Myrna Letandre in 2006.
Her remains were found in a Winnipeg rooming house in May 2013.
Andretti said he’ll be entering a guilty plea and is set to next appear next in court in September.
Andretti had a smile on his face and laughed at one point in court on Monday.
The judge told him this is a serious matter and advised he speak with a lawyer, but Andretti said he doesn't want one.
Andretti has refused to meet with a lawyer several times and told Judge Tim Preston he wants to plead guilty.
Letandre's sister sobbed in the courtroom as the 38-year-old laughed while his case was discussed.
Letandre's family also issued a statement, saying it wants an end to injustice, violence and the dismissal of aboriginal people.
“She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and she was raised with strong family values and upheld the values of an Anishinabe (woman) in a respectful manner,” said her family. "She had dreams and hopes for the future and for her family and people."
“Her mother, Bev, died grieving for her, not knowing what happened to her and waiting daily for news about her missing daughter," said Letandre's family.
The family said its missing person report was not taking seriously at the time in 2006.
The family also said if its report had been taken seriously, it might have helped save the life of Jennifer McPherson.
Andretti was convicted of murder earlier in 2014 in the death of his wife McPherson in British Columbia, who went missing in 2013. Her body was later found.
“We all need to feel safe and protected, and we can all do our part to ensure that what has taken place here will never happen again,” said Letandre’s family.
Andretti is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 10.
- with a report from Alesia Fieldberg and files from The Canadian Press
