Dangerous offender hearing scheduled for man who attacked homeless woman

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A man who pleaded guilty to a brutal attack on a Saskatchewan homeless woman is to face a dangerous offender hearing next year.

The hearing in March will determine whether a judge can impose an indefinite prison sentence on Leslie Black.

Black’s attack on Marlene Bird in Prince Albert in June 2014 attack left her badly burned and she had to have both of her legs amputated.

Black attempted to recant his guilty plea, saying he would never have pleaded guilty had he known he could be in prison for the rest of his life.

But Justice Hugh Harradence ruled there was no evidence that Black didn’t understand what he was doing when he pleaded guilty.

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Prosecutor Jeff Lubyk told court on Friday that he plans to call at least three witnesses at the dangerous offender hearing, mainly correctional staff who can testify about Black’s behaviour.

Two weeks have been set aside for the hearing, which will begin March 13 at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

(CKBI)

The Canadian Press