Richard Mantha fit to stand trial after stroke [Video]

A psychiatric report has found a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting six women east of Calgary is fit to stand trial but his lawyer wants the court to order another hearing before the long-delayed matter resumes.

Richard Robert Mantha faces 20 charges that include kidnapping, threats causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance on the women, most of whom worked in Calgary’s sex trade.

The 60-year-old has pleaded not guilty.

Most of the alleged offences occurred at a rural property east of Calgary.

His trial began in January but was delayed after he fired his two lawyers.

Mantha suffered a stroke in May while in custody waiting for his trial to resume on Nov. 18.

An assessment was ordered to allow a forensic psychiatrist to determine how the stroke may have affected his cognitive capacity

A letter from forensic psychiatrist Dr. Reilly Smith said that Mantha is fit …