Danny Smyth (left to right), Winnipeg Police Service Superintendent of Investigative Operations and Chief Superintendent Scott Kolody, RCMP Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations in Manitoba and Jason Michalyshen, Winnipeg Police Service Information Officer announce the arrest of Traigo Andretti in the slaying of a woman almost eight years ago.The remains of Myrna Letandre were found in May 2013 in a Winnipeg home. Ms. Letandre’s sister sobbed, with her head in her hands, as Mr. Andretti smirked and laughed while his case was discussed in court Monday.JOHN WOODS/The Canadian Press
A man accused of killing a Manitoba woman eight years ago laughed in front of the victim's family as he tried to plead guilty to second-degree murder Monday.
Traigo Andretti is already serving a life-sentence for killing and dismembering his wife in British Columbia. He was charged in the Winnipeg murder while in jail in British Columbia, and was brought back to the Manitoba capital in June to face charges of killing Myrna Letandre in 2006.
Mr. Andretti, 38, tried to plead guilty last month, but he was given a month to reconsider hiring a lawyer. Mr. Andretti refused to meet with a lawyer several times and on Monday told Judge Tim Preston he understands the case against him.
"I'll be pleading guilty," Mr. Andretti mumbled.
The judge would not accept Mr. Andretti's plea as it was not before the proper court. He is scheduled to formally enter a plea Sept. 10. Crown attorney Sheila Leinburd said she rejected Mr. Andretti's earlier attempt to plead guilty but, if he chooses to plead guilty in September, it would be accepted by the Crown.
Ms. Letandre's sister sobbed, with her head in her hands, as Mr. Andretti smirked and laughed while his case was discussed.
"This is serious business," Judge Preston said to him. "I know you're laughing. I'm not quite sure why. It's serious business so that's why I'm suggesting you should speak to a lawyer. If you don't, that's your choice."
Ms. Letandre, who was 37 and originally from Pinaymootang (Fairford) First Nation, was reported missing by her sister in 2006. Ms. Letandre's remains weren't found in a Winnipeg rooming house until May, 2013.
Police said she was in a relationship with Mr. Andretti, also known as Dylan Harold Grubb, before she vanished. They said Mr. Andretti was questioned at the time of Ms. Letandre's disappearance.
Relatives in court Monday said they were too shaken to talk, but handed out a statement. In it, they said Ms. Letandre was a loving woman who had "dreams and hopes for the future." They said they tried to tell police about Mr. Andretti at the time of Ms. Letandre's disappearance.
"Yet our reports weren't taken seriously. We were ignored, made to feel less than and why? Because we are Anishnabe women and our voice and our status in this society is not honoured, respected or protected."
Mr. Andretti was given a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 25 years in April after admitting to the first-degree murder of his wife, Jennifer McPherson, who was also a long-time Winnipeg resident.
Police discovered the scattered remains of Ms. McPherson on a remote island near Alert Bay, off the east coast of Vancouver Island, last spring. The couple had been living there as caretakers of a remote fishing resort called the Pacific Outback Resort.
"If we had been listened to, then her life would have been spared," the family said in their statement. "The justice system, the police is responsible for the loss of another life. We did our best to have this man talked to, investigated but despite our numerous pleas, nothing – absolutely nothing – was done."
Mr. Andretti was arrested after an investigation by Project Devote, a unit made up of RCMP and Winnipeg police officers. Police said they worked with Vancouver's homicide unit, but waited for them to complete their investigation before bringing their own charges.