Latest news with #Mantha
Global News
22-05-2025
- Global News
Trial begins in Calgary for man accused of kidnapping, drugging, sexually assaulting 7 women
After a string of delays, the trial for Richard Mantha got underway in a Calgary courtroom on Wednesday. Mantha is accused of kidnapping, drugging and sexually assaulting seven women between September 2020 and March of 2023 — most of them sex trade workers. He was arrested in 2023 and has pleaded not guilty. Mantha was initially supposed to go to trial in January of 2024, but the trial was delayed after Mantha fired his lawyer, then suffered a stoke several months later. During a hearing last fall, a forensic psychiatrist testified while the stroke may have affected Mantha's cognitive capacity and reduced his verbal skills, he was still fit to stand trial. On Wednesday, the court heard testimony from a woman named Kathleen Budzey, who told the court she was driving toward Highway 22X in early April of 2022 when she spotted a woman walking who appeared to be staggering and appeared out of place. Story continues below advertisement After stopping to ask the woman if she was OK, Budzey testified the woman told her she didn't know where she was. Budzey continued telling the court she told the woman there was a nearby Tim Hortons, and called police to check on her. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The next person to take the stand was Christopher Vermeersch, a former digital forensic investigator with the RCMP, who was tasked with looking at all the files inside Mantha's cellphone. The Crown prosecutor alleges that images, conversations and videos containing sexually explicit materials show it was Mantha who was committing the acts — with the Crown saying the evidence is based off his voice and other visible features. However, when Mantha's attorney asked if the forensic investigator could verify the images and video were originally taken by the same device they were pulled from, the investigator could not. On Wednesday afternoon, the Crown played the police video interview of one of the complainants who was brought in for interview in March of 2023. The woman starts by telling police she thought, 'Nobody cared about her.' During the interview she recalled being at a bus stop in the Calgary community of Forest Lawn in early April of 2022, waiting for a bus when a man in a truck stopped, asking her if she needed a ride home. After accepting a Sprite to drink, the woman says she passed out — waking up naked in an RV and Mantha holding a vibrator. Story continues below advertisement The complainant told police she pulled a knife on Mantha, demanding to be taken back to Calgary, but on the drive, she was pushed out of the vehicle landing on her stomach and rolling into the ditch. The woman finished by saying she was eventually picked up by members of Alberta RCMP who told her she was the second woman they had picked up under similar circumstances that week, eventually dropping her off at a CTrain station and did not follow up. More testimony is expected to continue in the coming days, with arguments expected to wrap up in the judge-only trial by the end of May. 2:36 Chestermere landowner left with cleanup after police arrest suspected kidnapper
Calgary Herald
20-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
In Calgary courts: Serial rape suspect Richard Mantha was a massive hoarder, his former landlord tells court
Serial rape suspect Richard Robert Mantha left behind thousands of kilograms of garbage on the rental property east of Calgary where he allegedly assaulted several women, his former landlord testified Tuesday. Article content Article content 'Probably the worst hoarder that I've ever met in my life,' Paul Lock told Mantha's Calgary Court of Justice trial, which resumed after a months-long delay. Article content Article content Crown prosecutor Dominique Mathurin took Lock through a series of photographs taken at his Vale View Road acreage following Mantha's April 2023 arrest. Article content Article content 'This photo doesn't give justice to the amount of stuff that was pulled out of there because my property looked like a landfill,' Lock testified. Article content Lock said he rented Mantha a Quonset on his property and in an 18-month period he stuffed it with everything from children's clothing and toys, to dead animals, to human feces, to a 'trashed' fifth-wheel motorhome. Article content 'I did see this (prior to Mantha's arrest) and I thought 'oh my God,'' Lock said. Article content 'He considered himself the highway hobo so if it wasn't bolted down he took it home.' Article content Mantha, 60, faces 20 charges involving allegations he sexually abused seven women, allegedly drugging six of them. He also faces a charge of kidnapping one of the women. Article content Article content Lock said after an 'army' of police officers raided his property over the Easter long weekend in 2023, he was left to clean up the mess his former tenant left behind. Article content He said, '37,426 pounds (nearly 17,000 kilograms) of garbage was removed off that property.' Article content 'That's what went through the scales at the dump.' Article content That amount didn't include recyclable materials, such as metals, which were also taken away. Article content 'After Richard was arrested the $33,000 cleanup began,' Lock said. Article content He said when Mantha first rented the building it was empty and a stipulation was that it be used only for work purposes, not a residence.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Make ads, invite applications for backward class tag: HC to panel
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes to make advertisements down to the gram panchayat level, inviting applications for inclusion of a community into the backward class category . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A division bench of justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha took exception to the OBC Commission acting on applications already received. Counsel for the petitioner, Subir Sanyal, pointed out that the commission was conducting public hearings only from the applications received from 113 communities. The division bench had earlier struck down categorisation of 37 and then 77 classes under Schedule I of the state list of OBCs. "This is a tailor-made process," Sanyal said. Justice Mantha wanted to know whether the commission invited applications from communities for inclusion under the state OBC category. Senior counsel for the commission submitted that West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993, didn't provide for this. "The commission shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tender such advice to the state govt as it deems appropriate," the senior counsel submitted, reading out Section 9 (1). The senior counsel argued that no application was required to be invited for the purpose. Justice Mantha reminded the senior counsel about the earlier order in which the division bench gave directions to conduct a fair, transparent and just procedure to initiate the identification process. Advocate general Kishore Datta urged the bench to allow the commission to continue with the identification process based on the 11-point module of the Mandal Commission. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice Mantha observed that the commission started the process in a different way. "We don't want to stall the identification process. You make an advertisement up to the gram panchayat level and involve block development officers," he said. The advocate general said he would submit details of the identification procedure at the next hearing on May 19 after getting instructions from the state . Counsel for the petitioner also complained that some govt departments were flouting the affidavit submitted by the chief secretary to the division bench that no recruitment would be made from the 114 communities struck down from the state OBC list. The division bench directed the petitioner to file an affidavit stating which departments went against the affidavit.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
3-term MPP's independent bid shakes up conventional race in Algoma- Manitoulin
The 70,000 or so voters in Algoma-Manitoulin will have one more option on their ballot in the upcoming provincial election with incumbent MPP Michael Mantha running as an independent candidate. The addition promises to disrupt conventional party dynamics and could potentially split votes in a riding that has elected New Democrats and Liberal candidates for the past four decades. Mantha successfully ran for the NDP in the past three elections, but was removed from that party's caucus in 2023 after a workplace investigation concluded he sexually harassed one of his staffers. He previously told CBC he disagrees with the investigation's findings and intends to leave his political future "in the hands of voters in Algoma-Manitoulin." NDP replaces Mantha with political newcomer New Democrats in Algoma-Manitoulin nominated David Timeriski to fill in the gap left by Mantha. It'll be his first time running for political office after a 30-year career as a paramedic and volunteer firefighter. The Elliot Lake resident says he's always been a supporter of NDP policies, especially when it comes to health. He's advocating for strategies that would help recruit and retain health professionals across "the circle of care," from doctors to lab technicians. He says frequent closures of emergency rooms, such as the ones experienced in Thessalon, are unacceptable. Timeriski says that while there are special circumstances that led to his nomination, he's confident the riding's NDP voters will throw their support behind him. "The voters have a right to choose," he said. "This is their opportunity to hold anybody accountable." Liberal candidate focused on health, affordability The Algoma-Manitoulin candidate for the Ontario Liberals is Reg Niganobe. It's his first time vying for a provincial seat after 15 years in politics, first as the chief of Mississauga #8 First Nation, then as the grand council chief of the Anishinabek Nation. Niganobe says he wanted to make the jump to provincial politics after seeing key issues go unaddressed in the small towns and First Nations that make up the riding. "We have 40,000 citizens here in Algoma-Manitoulin that don't have a family doctor," he said. He says northern Ontario money is being spent on projects that benefit the residents of the province's south. "The proposed tunnel under Highway 401 or the health spa [in] downtown Toronto are not very useful to us up here," he said. He says the current government hasn't made progress on some of the key infrastructure issues in the riding, including the Manitoulin Swing Bridge and the Dean Lake Bridge near the Municipality of Huron Shores. Mantha says he can be a voice for northern Ont. as an independent As for Mantha, he says he wants to continue to advocate for the north, including on three key issues he's heard from his constituents: healthcare, highway safety and affordability. "Once you get elected, it doesn't matter if you're in government or opposition," he said. "You have one job, and it's to work across party lines to get benefits in your riding." He says he's developed his craft over the past 13 years. Asked whether voters were concerned about the sexual harassment allegations against him, Mantha says it's a personal matter that hasn't really come up his conversations with constituents. "When I'm talking to people on doorsteps, they're more concerned with the issues that they faced with here in the province," he said. "They're more focused on obtaining a doctor, an affordable home, and not getting caught in the carnage of an accident." Conservative candidate focuses on tariff threat Algoma-Manitoulin's progressive conservative candidate Bill Rosenberg has declined multiple interview requests from CBC. In a statement, his campaign manager said potential tariffs from the U.S. would hit the riding's lumber and steel industries hard. "Now more than ever, we need strong leadership to protect our jobs, businesses and communities," he wrote. The Green Party of Ontario candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin is Maria Legault.
CBC
14-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Here are the northeastern Ontario candidates running in the 2025 provincial election
Ontarians will be heading to the polls for a provincial election on Feb. 27. Elections Ontario said eligible residents can vote on election day, by mail, at your local election office or at advanced voting locations. Here are a list of candidates running in northeastern Ontario ridings: Algoma-Manitoulin: This riding of 70,504 people includes various areas, including the City of Elliot Lake, communities on Manitoulin Island the along the North Shore. The seat was won by Michael Mantha in 2022, who was a New Democrat at the time. In 2023, he was removed by the NDP party due to allegations of workplace misconduct. Mantha is running again as an independent, and the NDP candidate is David Timeriski, a volunteer firefighter and paramedic. The Liberal candidate is Reg Niganobe, the former grand council chief of the Anishinabek Nation. The Progressive Conservative candidate is Bill Rosenberg, the current mayor of the Town of Thessalon. Maria Legault is running for the Green Party, Mushkegowuk-James Bay: One of the newer ridings in Ontario, this far north riding was created in 2017. The riding used to include the City of Timmins, but that is now it's own riding. The Muskegowuk-James Bay riding is home to 25,366 people and includes various communities, including Hearst, Kapuskasing, Moosonee, and Moonbeam. The seat is currently held by NDP Guy Bourgouin, who is seeking his third term of re-election. Kapuskasing Mayor David Plourde is representing the Progressive Conservatives. Kyle Allen is running for the Liberal Party and Catherine Jones is the candidate for the Green Party. Nickel Belt: This electoral district includes the eastern and southern parts of the District of Sudbury, along with Greater Sudbury's outlying areas. Incumbent NDP candidate Grance Gélinas has represented the riding since 2007. Local business owner Randy Hazlett is the Progressive Conservative candidate. Originally from Barrie, Hazlett moved to the Nickel Belt riding in 2016 and served as a town councillor in French River. Natalie Labbée, who is currently a city councillor for Ward 7 in the City of Greater Sudbury, is the candidate for the Liberal Party. James Chretien is running for the Libertarian Party and Paul Divincenzo is the candidate for the New Blue Party. Connie Hill is running for the Green Party of Ontario. The Nipissing riding includes the City of North Bay. Progressive Conservative candidate Vic Fedeli has represented the riding since 2011, and was the city's mayor before that. Loren Mick is the candidate for the NDP and is a lifelong resident of Mattawa. He has been elected to town council twice and is currently pursuing a master's in counselling psychology. Colton Chaput, the candidate for the Green Party, is currently in his final year of nursing at uOttawa. Liam McGarry is running for the Liberal Party and Michelle Lashbrook is the Libertarian Party nominee. Scott Mooney is running for the Ontario Party. Parry Sound-Muskoka: This riding has been held by Progressive Conservatives since it was formed in 1999. Norm Mill was the Progressive Conservative MPP starting in 2001, but did not run in the last election. Incumbent Progressive Conservative Graydon Smith won in 2022. The Green Party candidate is Matt Richter, a teacher and business owner. The NDP candidate is Jim Ronholm, a professor at Canadore College and councillor in the Township of Strong. The New Blue Ontario Party is putting forward candidate Brandon Nicksy, a former infantry officer with the Canadian Armed Forces and now businessman. Helen Kroeker is representing the Ontario Party. David Innes is running for the Liberals. Sault Ste. Marie: This riding includes the City of Sault Ste. Marie has has been represented by Progressive Conservative Ross Romano since he was elected in a byelection in 2017. Romano is not running again, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. The Progressive Conservative candidate for this election is Chris Scott. According to his LinkedIn profile, Scott is the special advisor to the chief of staff in the Premier's office. The NDP candidate is Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who is currently a city councillor in Sault Ste. Marie. Arnold Heino is representing the New Blue Party. Gurwinder Dusanjh is running for the Liberals. Jaycob Jacques is running for the Green Party of Ontario. Paul Frolich is running for the Ontario Party. Sudbury: This riding includes the City of Greater Sudbury, excluding the outlying areas. The incumbent NDP Jamie West has held the riding since 2018. He has worked in fields of mental health, construction, mining and workplace safety. The Progressive Conservative candidate is Max Massimiliano, a local restaurant owner. The Green Party candidate is David Robinson, who was a professor at Laurentian University in economics. Businessman Rashid Mukhtar Choudhry is running for the Liberals and David Popescu is running as an independent. Brady Legault is running for the New Blue Party. Timiskaming-Cochrane: This riding was created in 1999 and includes a large geographical area, including parts of Cochrane North, Cochrane South, Timiskaming, Nickel Belt, Sudbury East and Nipissing. The NDP's John Vanthof has represented the riding since 2011 and is running again. The Progressive Conservative candidate is Tory Delaurier, the current mayor of Iroquois Falls. The Green Party candidate Kris Rivard, who also ran in 2022. He's a municipal councillor in West Nipissing and is also a sewage system inspector for the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. Rick Ellsmere, who is a public works operator with the Township of Chamberlain, is the Liberal candidate. Stephen MacLeod is running for the New Blue Party. This riding used to be combined with parts of the Muskegowuk-James Bay riding, but was split in 2022. The riding represents the City of Timmins and is represented by Progressive Conservative George Pirie, who beat the NDP's Gilles Bisson; who had represented the riding since 1999. Pirie is running again for the Progressive Conservatives. He's a former mining executive and also served as the mayor in the City of Timmins. The NDP candiate is Corey Lapage, a financial advisor. Marie-Joséee Yelle is the Green Party candidate, while David Farrell is running for the New Blue Party. Dominic Casto is the candidate for the Liberal Party.
