Accused serial rapist's trial back on the rails after firing lawyers mid-trial

An accused serial rapist who fired his lawyers mid-trial has new counsel and will not require the proceedings to continue in French, a judge heard Friday.

Richard Mantha, 60, faces 20 charges involving seven alleged victims.

The trial began in January. Over the course of a week-and-a-half, the judge heard from four women.

The day before a fifth woman was set to testify, Mantha fired his lawyers.

Although prosecutor Dominique Mathurin raised concerns about vulnerable witnesses, Mantha was given a month to find a new lawyer.

Mantha's trial had been conducted partly in French. Everything besides witness testimony took place in French.

On Friday, Mantha was back in court to update Justice Judith Shriar on those efforts.

Court heard that defence lawyer Marc Crarer is in the process of being retained through Legal Aid.

Mantha also indicated he would not be requiring the trial to proceed in French.

The case is back in court in two weeks so that trial continuation dates can be set.

Woman discovers self in video

Mantha's charges include sexual assault with a gun, sexual assault with a knife, kidnapping, forcible confinement and administering noxious substances.

The charges are connected to allegations Mantha drugged and raped vulnerable women who, at the time, struggled with addiction and/or were involved in Calgary's sex trade.

The women called as witnesses throughout the trial in January delivered powerful testimony, telling the judge that Mantha drugged and sexually assaulted them.

One of the women told the court that she discovered she was sexually assaulted after a friend sent a video clip that she said showed her being raped for three hours and 40 minutes.