Accused killer changes his mind about plea deal
The mother of a slain Calgary woman hurled profane insults at her daughter’s accused killer Tuesday, as the murder suspect changed his mind about a plea deal.
“Piece of s---,” Toni Harty yelled as Jonathan Edward Martin was led back to cells at the Calgary Courts Centre. “Bastard,” she added.
Harty’s comments came just after court was adjourned to Friday for Martin to schedule a trial.
Martin is charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 25, 2015, killing of his then-girlfriend, Chelsea Serpentini-Harty, 24.
Defence counsel Cory Wilson said Martin instructed him just before court he would not be entering a plea and wanted to go to trial.
Last month, in criminal appearance court where trials are scheduled, court was told Martin wished to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder.
“This matter was here for resolution,” Wilson told Justice Glen Poelman. “I’ve just received new instructions from my client … indicating he wants this matter set down for trial,” Wilson said.
Crown lawyer Kirsti Binns said the prosecution has been ready since January to set a trial date, but only delayed it because Martin indicated a willingness to resolve the case.
“This matter has been delayed as a result of the accused’s actions,” Binns told Poelman.
Wilson conceded the delay between January and Friday would fall at the hands of the defendant.
Following a Supreme Court ruling last July, the Crown has been careful to make sure the defence takes responsibility for any delays created on their part.
Outside court, both SerpentiniHarty’s mother and father, Terry Harty, expressed frustration at the latest turn in their quest for justice for their daughter.
“We were led to believe that it would be over and done with today,” Terry Harty said. “Now we’re back to Square 1 again. It’s very emotional.”
He said Martin’s change of heart weighed heavily on them.
“It’s like being slapped in the face,” he said. “It’s something that shouldn’t be allowed.”
Toni Harty tried to see a silver lining in the latest development.
“Hopefully we’ll get a better outcome,” she said.
If convicted as charged, Martin would face an automatic life sentence without parole for a minimum 25 years.
Parole ineligibility on a seconddegree murder conviction can be as low as 10 years.