New health problems delay closing arguments for Calgary man accused of sex assaults
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/11/2025 (290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
CALGARY – Closing arguments for a man accused of drugging, kidnapping and sexually assaulting seven women east of Calgary have been delayed again due to illness.
Richard Robert Mantha, who is 61, has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance.
Most of the complainants are women who worked in Calgary’s sex trade, with the alleged crimes taking place at a rural property east of the city.
Court heard Mantha could only appear in court by phone because he was in the COVID-19 isolation unit at the Calgary Remand Centre and may have suffered a second stroke.
The trial, which began in January 2024, has been plagued by delays, including one when Mantha suffered a stroke a few months later.
The case is scheduled to be back in court Nov. 14 to confirm a new date for arguments.
Provincial court Justice Judith Shriar said Wednesday it wasn’t fair to proceed with closing arguments if Mantha couldn’t be there.
“I’m also concerned about the consequences, not only of evidence at this stage, there’s a lot on the line here and he should be participating in a more meaningful way,” Shriar told court.
“It is just unspeakable … disappointment, frustration. We have to adjourn.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2025.