New trial dates set for accused serial rapist after firing lawyers, suffering stroke

The trial for an accused serial rapist will continue more than 15 months after it was derailed.

Since February, Richard Mantha fired two sets of lawyers and suffered a stroke causing delays in the case.

The 60-year-old is accused of kidnapping, drugging and raping women, most of whom he met through Calgary's sex trade.

He faces 20 charges, including sexual assault with a gun, sexual assault with a knife, kidnapping, forcible confinement and administering noxious substances.

There are seven alleged victims.

• Accused serial rapist Richard Mantha can't speak but can stand trial, doctor finds

Mantha's trial got underway in January. However,after hearing testimony from several complainants, Mantha fired his lawyers.

The hearing was set to continue next month, but Mantha had a stroke in May and then fired his new lawyer in October.

In sorting out whether Mantha's trial would be able to continue as scheduled in November, Justice Judith Shriar was told the stroke had affected the accused's ability to speak.

• Accused serial rapist Richard Mantha in hospital after suffering stroke

That issue complicated Mantha's ability to instruct his lawyer and raised concerns about whether he would be able to testify in his own defence.

A forensic psychiatrist who conducted a court-ordered examination of Mantha has deemed him fit to stand trial.

Mantha's latest lawyer, his third in eight months, told the court Tuesday he is still considering applying for a fitness hearing to determine if Mantha can stand trial given his post-stroke disabilities.

The case will be back in court next week for defence lawyer Justin Dean to update the court on his plan to seek a second assessment.

On Tuesday, new trial dates were set for May 2025.