Crown disputes testimony as defence seeks to toss jury in Skibicki murder trial

Crown prosecutors are pushing back on a motion from the defence to toss out the jury in the trial of a Winnipeg man accused of murdering four women.

The defence is asking that the case of Jeremy Skibicki be heard by a judge alone and not by a jury.

His lawyers are raising concerns about the possible effects of pre-trial publicity on the jury, which was selected last week.

They have brought in U.S.-based psychologist Christine Ruva to hear her views about the possible effects of pre-trial publicity on juror biases.

However, the Crown is questioning the relevance of such testimony, given Ruva is testifying about a jury trial in Canada based on research that focuses on the legal system in the United States.

Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder.

He was arrested in the deaths of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and a fourth unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman.

1:25 Winnipeg trial of man accused of killing 4 women starts with bid to toss jury