WINNIPEG – Crown prosecutors are pushing back on a motion from the defence to toss out the jury in the trial of a Winnipeg man accused of murdering four women.
The defence is asking that the case of Jeremy Skibicki be heard by a judge alone and not by a jury.
His lawyers are raising concerns about the possible effects of pre-trial publicity on the jury, which was selected last week.
The have brought in a U.S.-based psychologist Christine Ruva to hear her views about the possible effects of pre-trial publicity on juror biases.
However the Crown is questioning the relevance of such testimony given Ruva is testifying about a jury trial in Canada based on research that focuses on the legal system in the United States.
Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder.
He was arrested in the deaths of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and a fourth unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2024.