Nearing two years after his trial began, the case for a man accused of drugging, kidnapping and sexually assaulting seven women on a rural property east of Calgary has been delayed yet again. Closing arguments in the case were set to take place Wednesday morning, but Richard Robert Mantha’s defence lawyer informed the court his client may have suffered another stroke. Justin Dean, Mantha’s third counsel for his trial, said the 61-year-old had a decline in function while in a COVID-19 isolation unit – though it’s unclear if it is due to COVID, stress or a possible second stroke. “We can’t have him not here,” said Justice Judith Shriar. “I don’t know what to say. It’s unspeakable. Disappointment. Frustration. We have to adjourn.” Mantha would have only been able to attend the hearing by phone, which Shriar decided was inappropriate due to his state. “I’m also concerned about the consequences, not only of evidence at this stage – there’s a lot on the line here. He should be participating in a more meaningful way than hogging the phone.” It is the latest in a series of delays that have plagued the case since it began in January 2024. Mantha has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, administering a noxious substance and uttering threats of bodily harm. Most of his alleged victims were women who worked in Calgary’s sex trade. One has since passed away. The trial was originally postponed after Mantha’s lawyers attempted to divide it into seven separate trials. There were also delays on two separate occasions when he fired his lawyers and again when he switched his trial from French to English. Mantha also suffered a stroke in May 2024, and despite reduced verbal skills, the judge later delayed his application to be found unfit for trial, citing a forensic psychiatrist assessment that determined he was fit. The case returns to court on Nov. 14 to set a new date for final arguments.
