Winnipeg judge rules trial of accused serial killer to start with jury

By Canadian Press A judge has decided the trial of a man accused of killing four women in Winnipeg will still be heard by a jury. Lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki had asked that his jury trial, which is set to begin Wednesday, be heard instead by a judge alone. The defence argued that two years of publicity surrounding the high-profile case may have biased the jurors. A U.S.-based psychologist who has studied jury bias told court this week that news coverage of the slayings of the four women has been consistent and emotional. Skibicki’s lawyers said they plan to argue he is not criminally responsible for the deaths because of a mental illness. Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rebecca Contois,…

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription – Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Add Your Voice

Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Contribute your voice on our contribute page.