UM TodayJeremy Skibicki – UM Today

Globe and Mail: Indigenous traditions in trials can restore trust in justice system, Manitoba chief judge says

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:27:01 +0000

Brandon Trask, an assistant professor of law at the University of Manitoba, said a majority of the steps taken during the trial are achievable in other Canadian courts. But this case was unique, he cautioned. “I wouldn’t say that every aspect of this trial should be applied to future cases,” said the former Crown prosecutor in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

After pleading not guilty since his arrest in 2022, Mr. Skibicki admitted to the killings on the eve of the trial, but asked that the court find him not criminally responsible for murder. His lawyers argued he was not able to appreciate or understand his crimes because of his mental health. In the end, the defence was not able to prove its case, and Justice Joyal found the killings were deliberate and planned.

To read the entire article, please follow the link to the Globe and Mail.

CBC Manitoba: Why would a convicted serial killer NOT be designated a “dangerous offender”?

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:20:04 +0000

Frank Cormier, Criminology Professor at The University of Manitoba joined CBC Manitoba to look at the law in the aftermath of Jeremy Skibicki’s sentencing in Winnipeg this week.

To listen to the full interview, please visit CBC Manitoba.

Winnipeg Free Press: Serial killer Skibicki a ‘heartless, evil monster,’ victim’s aunt tells court

Fiona Odlum — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:15:13 +0000

The inclusion of victim impact statements in a hearing where there was no discretion in sentencing is another remarkable element in a remarkable criminal matter, University of Manitoba law Prof. Brandon Trask said.

“This case is unlike so many others,” he said, pointing to one unidentified and unlocated victim, multiple requests for a judge-alone trial and the question of criminal responsibility.

“From essentially every step of the way, this case should be seen as unique.”

To read the full story, please visit the Winnipeg Free Press.

Brandon Trask also spoke with Marcy Markusa with CBC Manitoba about what a life sentence means in Canada and how the parole board determines whether someone is eligible after 25 years in prison. Listen here.

Brandon also did a follow-up interview with the Winnipeg Free Press regarding Jeremy Skibicki’s sentencing. Skibicki received concurrent life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years for the racially-motivated killings of four Indigenous women in Winnipeg — the same period of parole ineligibility that is given to an adult convicted of one first-degree murder. You can read the full article: Legislated sentence for serial killer reignites concurrent vs. consecutive debate

CTV Winnipeg: Reaction to Skibicki guilty verdict

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:28:00 +0000

Warning: This article contains content that may be disturbing to readers. Discretion is advised.

A Manitoba judge has found serial killer Jeremy Skibicki guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, ruling he was not suffering from schizophrenia when he ‘mercilessly’ killed four Indigenous women.

A cheer erupted from the gallery of the courtroom in Winnipeg when Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal delivered a summary of his decision Thursday morning.

It was words the friends and families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and an unidentified victim given the name Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe or Buffalo Woman have been waiting more than two years to hear.

Assistant professor, Brandon Trask from the Faculty of Law spoke with CTV’s Daniel Halmarson with reaction to Jeremy Skibicki’s guilty verdict. Here is the full story.