A man charged with drugging, kidnapping, and sexually assaulting seven women at his acreage east of Calgary is expect to learn his verdict Tuesday.
Richard Robert Mantha is in court in Calgary for the conclusion of a trial that has spanned over several years.
The 62-year-old was first arrested in April 2023, accused of targeting women in Calgary’s sex trade. Mantha was denied bail months later.
His trial began in January 2024 but has faced several delays, mostly due to his health status. Mantha has had COVID-19 several times and suffered at least two strokes, the second of which impaired his ability to speak.
He also initially opted for a French-language trial, which is uncommon in Alberta. Mantha eventually decided to move forward with an English trial and a French translator on hand to assist him.
The accused also fired his lawyers in the middle of the trial, extending the timeline even further.
Closing arguments were supposed to happen in November but were delayed until April, once again due to Mantha’s health issues.
It’s been alleged that at least seven women were approached by a man on 19 Avenue SE in Forest Lawn between December 2021 and March 2023, before being drugged and taken to a rural property where they were physically and sexually assaulted
Mantha is facing more than 20 charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, and administering a noxious substance.
He has plead not guilty to all of them.
-With files from The Canadian Press