CALGARY — The trial for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting seven women east of Calgary is to continue in May as he was again found fit to stand trial by an Alberta judge.
Richard Robert Mantha, who is 60, faces 20 charges that include kidnapping, threats causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance to the women, most of whom worked in Calgary’s sex trade.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Most of the alleged offences occurred at a rural property. He was arrested in 2023.
His trial, which began last year, was delayed after he fired his lawyer and then suffered a stroke months later last May.
A forensic psychiatrist assessed Mantha to determine how the stroke may have affected his cognitive capacity and found him fit to stand trial last fall, despite reduced verbal skills.
Mantha's new lawyer, Justin Dean, questioned the doctor's assessment and requested a fitness hearing, which concluded last week.
"Despite the mental disorder and the obvious significant difficulties with verbal expression, the court concludes that Mr. Mantha is still able to participate meaningfully in the proceedings and receive a fair trial," Court of King's Bench Justice Judith Shriar said Friday.
"The application for the finding of unfit is dismissed."
Shriar said in considering whether Mantha's diminished communication skills would render him unfit for trial, she noted the trial is almost halfway completed, most of the complainants have already testified under oath and the legal process is narrower and clearer now.
"Communication at this stage is different from what it might have been at the beginning of the process after he was arrested, before counsel had access to all of the disclosure and heard from all of the complainants under oath," she said.
"Mr. Mantha had counsel for eight months while his communication skills were intact."
Mantha appeared via video at the appearance and did not speak.
The trial is to resume for another 10 days beginning May 20.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.
Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
