Overview
A Canadian man, Jeremy Skibicki, facing charges of murdering four Indigenous women has admitted to the killings. His lawyers argue he has a mental disorder that contradicts criminal responsibility.
Details of the Case
Skibicki is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four women – Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) by Indigenous leaders.
Legal Proceedings
Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. The unexpected development on Monday prompted a shift in the trial format. Crown prosecutors in Winnipeg are now pursuing a judge-alone trial, which could begin as soon as Wednesday.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Prosecutor Chris Vanderhooft told Manitoba’s court of king’s bench, “At this point, the accused is now admitting that he killed all four women, and that is a new development.”
Discovery of Bodies
Skibicki left the bodies of two of his known victims at Winnipeg’s Prairie Green landfill. Initially, police did not have the resources to search the refuse at the facility, much of which is buried under tonnes of clay.
Aftermath of the Admission
The admission from Skibicki’s lawyers comes a day after the national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls – also known as “red dress day”.
Impact and Concerns
A 2019 report labeled the disappearances and murders of at least 4,000 Indigenous women and girls in recent decades as “genocide.” This systemic neglect and state indifference continue to leave vulnerable Indigenous women prey to violence and injustice.
Unresolved Questions
It is unclear if Monday’s revelations in court will give police and families a sense of where the bodies of Harris and Myran might be located, as well as the identity of Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe.
