Advocacy Group Voices Disappointment Over Verdict in Serial Rapist Case
An advocacy group supporting victims of Richard Mantha, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting three women, has expressed deep disappointment with the court's decision to dismiss a majority of the charges against him. Jacquie Meyer, executive director of Her Victory, a group advocating for women impacted by sexual exploitation, trafficking, and addiction, argued that this move fails to deter further abuse and leaves victims feeling unheard.
Court's Ruling and Its Impact
Richard Mantha, a 62-year-old suspected serial rapist, was convicted on Tuesday of six out of 20 charges he faced, including allegations of sexually assaulting three of seven women he was accused of abusing. Justice Judith Shriar, in her decision, agreed with defence lawyer Justin Dean that much of the testimony from the alleged victims, many of whom were sex workers and vulnerable women, was unreliable.
Shriar found that while Mantha provided drugs to most of his alleged victims, he did not administer noxious substances with the intent to endanger their lives or cause bodily harm. She convicted him on one charge of administering a noxious substance, but noted it was only to "aggrieve or annoy" the victim, not to cause serious harm.
Concerns from Advocacy Groups
Meyer highlighted that the verdict could have a chilling effect on victims, particularly sex workers, discouraging them from reporting crimes. "It makes them feel unheard," she said. "There's a fear of Richard Mantha being released, and it just re-traumatizes them through the whole healing process." She added that this undermines the relationship between police and support workers, as victims may feel their reports are not taken seriously.
"Already existing human trafficking is highly underreported, and this is just going to further that," Meyer stated, emphasizing the broader implications for justice and victim support.
Background of the Case
Mantha was arrested on April 6, 2023, after Calgary police, with RCMP assistance, conducted an extensive search of a rural property east of the city, where he was renting a Quonset hut. The search, which lasted days and involved police cadaver dogs, did not uncover any bodies.
His trial began in January 2024 but faced multiple delays, including a stroke suffered by Mantha in May 2024, which left him unable to verbally communicate. During final submissions, Crown prosecutor Dominique Mathurin conceded acquittal on two of the seven alleged victims of sexual assault, including one who died before testifying.
Justice Shriar concluded in her written decision that an accused cannot be found to have administered a noxious substance if the complainant voluntarily consumes it, leading to the dismissal of several charges. Meyer found this conclusion unsettling, warning it could erode trust in the legal system for marginalized communities.
