Accused killer switches lawyers
Kevin Mantla, charged with first degree murder and aggravated assault, will choose a method of trial in March
Evan Kiyoshi French
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A man charged with first degree murder in connection with an alleged attack in Yellowknife in September 2015 has a new lawyer and is set to choose a method of trial in March.
Kevin Mantla, 37, was charged with first degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault a day after police found a critically injured female and a critically injured male at a building on Lanky Court in Yellowknife, on Sept. 28.
Elvis Lafferty was identified as the victim who died in the attack.
In territorial court on Tuesday, defense attorney Jay Bran said he's recently been appointed to the case - replacing Peter Harte - and hasn't received a complete disclosure package with information about the case from the Crown.
Bran requested an adjournment to get up to speed on the file.
"I've only just been assigned this case, at the request of Mr. Mantla," said Bran. Mantla appeared by video from the North Slave Correctional Centre, wearing a bright red shirt.
Crown prosecutor Blair MacPherson said the Crown still needs to complete work on a forensic disclosure relating to the case and suggested Mantla be called back before the bench in March.
On Thursday, MacPherson said he can't release the ages of the victims of the Sept. 28 Lanky Court incident. MacPherson said none of the information about the victims or the case will be shared by the Crown or RCMP because a publication ban has been placed on preliminary proceedings.
"RCMP can't disclose any information because one of the victims is still alive," he said.
Territorial Court Judge Bernadette Schmaltz scheduled Mantla to appear next on March 22 to submit a defence election.
