National

Andre Noel Denny Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter In Death Of Halifax Gay Rights Activist

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Nov, 2015 12:12 PM

HALIFAX — A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal beating death of a prominent gay rights activist outside a Halifax bar more than three years ago.

Andre Noel Denny was originally charged with second-degree murder but the Crown and his defence lawyer say he pleaded guilty to manslaughter today in the April 2012 death of 49-year-old Raymond Taavel.

Denny, who is from Membertou, N.S., was originally scheduled to stand trial on the murder charge in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in September but it was delayed when he fired his lawyer.

Taavel, who worked with gay organizations both provincially and nationally, died outside Menz bar on Gottingen Street following an altercation.

Hundreds attended vigils for Taavel, who was remembered at the time by former Nova Scotia premier Darrell Dexter as a champion in the fight against discrimination, violence and intolerance.

Denny is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 25 and 26.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Crackle And Glow: Saskatchewan Photographer Captures Fireball In Night Sky

A huge fireball that crackled and glowed as it streaked across the night sky was captured by a Saskatchewan photographer almost by accident.

Crackle And Glow: Saskatchewan Photographer Captures Fireball In Night Sky

A huge fireball that crackled and glowed as it streaked across the night sky was captured by a Saskatchewan photographer almost by accident.

Crackle And Glow: Saskatchewan Photographer Captures Fireball In Night Sky

Order RCMP To Open File Into Leak Of Secret Spy Agency Documents, Court Urged

RCMP should be forced to open their file from their four-year-old criminal investigation into the leak of secret intelligence documents to the media, a man once accused of terrorism ties argues in court filings.

Order RCMP To Open File Into Leak Of Secret Spy Agency Documents, Court Urged

Father Of Hero Soldier, Collin Fitzgerald, Faces Police Obstruction Charge In Arrest Of Son

OTTAWA — The father of one of Canada's most highly decorated soldiers will face an Ontario provincial court judge today in connection with the August 2014 arrest of his son.

Father Of Hero Soldier, Collin Fitzgerald, Faces Police Obstruction Charge In Arrest Of Son

UNHCR Says Syrian Refugees Will Be Processed In Canada, Welcomes Commitment

Syrian refugees being brought to Canada by the Liberal government will only be given temporary residency permits until their cases have been fully processed in Canada, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee says.

UNHCR Says Syrian Refugees Will Be Processed In Canada, Welcomes Commitment

RCMP Stymied In Probe Of Parliament Hill Shooter's Winchester Rifle

The RCMP believes it has "come to a dead end" in its probe of where Parliament Hill shooter Michael Zehaf Bibeau got his gun — one of the most vexing questions about the events of Oct. 22, 2014.