Winnipeg man accused of killing four women will face jury
A Winnipeg man accused of killing four Indigenous women will have his trial heard by a jury – despite a second attempt by his defence to have the jury tossed.
On Friday morning, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal dismissed a motion by Jeremy Skibicki’s lawyers to have the quadruple-homicide trial heard by judge alone.
Skibicki is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman who Indigenous have given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe or Buffalo Woman.
He has pleaded not guilty.
While a first-degree murder charge automatically requires a jury trial, Joyal noted an accused can request their case be heard by judge alone, but Crown prosecutors must consent.
In this case, the Crown has not.
Skibicki’s lawyers have argued ‘pervasive’ media coverage in the lead-up to the trial may have led to a bias among jurors, and argued a jury trial would violate Skibicki’s rights to a fair trial.
They pointed to an opinion poll they commissioned, which found a majority of respondents believe Skibicki is guilty and indicated they would find it unacceptable if he were to be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.
The court also heard testimony from a U.S.-based cognitive psychologist who has studied the impact and influence pre-trial publicity can have on a jury’s decision-making ability.
She said once a juror has formed an opinion of guilt based on the media coverage they consumed before the trial, it is unlikely – if not impossible – to change during the trial.
However, in his decision, Joyal disagreed.
“Impartiality as it relates to the judicial system is not understood to mean the jurors do not hold any form of bias, nor does it suggest that jurors are artificially neutral,” Joyal said.
He said it is the responsibility of the judicial system, through instruction to the jury, to cleanse any biases jurors bring with them.
In this case, he said there was rigorous questioning during jury selection, and there will be further instruction to the jurors about their role – to make a finding based on the evidence presented in court alone.
“While it is expected the jurors, much like judges, are shaped by their lived experience including the media they digest,” Joyal said. “In the Canadian judicial system we believe jurors are able to rise to the heightened expectations required of their role in order to ensure a fair trial is provided to the accused person.”
Skibicki’s defence lawyers made a similar push to have the trial proceed without a jury, but that too was dismissed earlier this year.
“We thought our arguments were impeccable… but the lordship made a decision and we'll take it from there,” Leonard Tailleur, one of Skibicki’s defence lawyers said outside the courthouse Friday.
He said this doesn’t change anything going into the trial.
When asked about their plan to argue Skibicki is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder, Tailleur said, “That'll be elucidated further in the trial proper, so we'll leave it at that.”
The jury will begin hearing evidence on May 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
1 dead, others injured after London-Singapore flight hit severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines says
One person has died aboard a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. The plane was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
How to check the Air Quality Health Index and assess your health risks
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
DEVELOPING Defence witness who angered the judge in Trump's hush money trial will return to the stand
A defence witness in Donald Trump's hush money case whom the judge threatened to remove from the trial over his behaviour will return to the stand Tuesday as the trial nears its end.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.