THE DEATHS of four Indigenous women by a suspected serial killer sees his defense lawyer push for an unusual change to proceedings.

Jeremy Skibicki from Winnipeg was arrested on May 18, 2022, after partial remains of Rebecca Contois, 24, were found in the garbage.

Contois from Winnipeg was part of the O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation and the rest of her remains were found at the Brad Road landfill in June.

At the time of Skibicki’s arrest where he was charged with first-degree murder, police continued to hunt for other victims.

In December, police confirmed that the 35-year-old was also charged with first-degree murder over the deaths of Morgan Beatrice Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, in early May.

It is also believed that he killed a fourth woman in her twenties who has not been identified around March 15, of that year.

All of the women are thought to have been First Nation members.

Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth noted that the investigation into finding the remains of the three other women which are believed to be in landfill is ongoing.

As Skibicki prepares to stand trial in April next year for the spring killing spree, his lawyer has argued that there should not be a jury.

On Monday, the quadruple-murder suspect pleaded not guilty to all four counts against him.

Due to the first-degree murder charges, the trial was due to be held before a jury, but the defense hopes to pass a motion that will allow the case only to be heard by a judge.

This move would need the consent of the Crown with Crown attorney Chris Vanderhooft claiming that there is huge public interest to see the case go before a jury.

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Skibicki’s lawyer Alyssa Munce argued to the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Justice Glenn Joyal that the need for Crown consent is arbitrary and that the requirement is unconstitutional.

According to defense lawyer Leonard Tailleur who spoke to CBC outside of the court, the defense is arguing for the suspect’s right to choose their trial regardless of the crime.

Under section 469 of the Criminal Code, there are only a few offenses that require Crown consent over trial without a jury.

“There’s really no basis for it,” Tailleur said. 

“The accused has a perfect right to re-elect and not be fettered by the Crown, and that’s the problem that we have.”

However, speaking on behalf of the Crown, Charles Murray of the constitutional law branch told Justice Joyal that there is no constitutional right to a trial by judge alone.

Often defense lawyers will push for such a move in high-profile cases where the jury pool is tainted by previous reports and comments that could impact the suspect’s right to a fair hearing.

A motive for the killings has not yet been given though posts on a Facebook page connected to Skibicki from before his arrest feature hate-filled comments and antisemetic, misogynistic, and white supremacist material, per a CBC report.

“It’s always unsettling whenever there is any kind of a serial killing,” Chief Smyth said.

“It does involve Indigenous women. We’re very sensitive to the whole missing and murdered Indigenous women investigation and inquiry and the recommendations that came out of that.

“I don’t know if they were specifically being targeted, but clearly the victims in this are all indigenous women.”

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham added: “We have much more work to do to protect the lives of Indigenous women and girls.

“Right now there are far too many people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and poverty and that puts [them] in vulnerable positions.”