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Dangerous offender hearing delayed for many guilty of brutally beating woman

Apr 21, 2017 | 4:00 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A dangerous offender hearing for a Saskatchewan man who viciously beat a woman before setting her on fire has been delayed.

Leslie Ivan Black pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the sexual assault of Marlene Bird in Prince Albert in 2014.

Bird’s injuries were so serious, both legs had to be amputated and she lost much of her eyesight.

The hearing to determine whether Black should be sent to prison indefinitely heard all the evidence last month.

But it has been delayed to give both sides time to prepare final arguments and written briefs.

The arguments are to be heard June 30.

Judge Stanley Loewen initially said he wished to hand down his decision by June, but said Friday that target was no longer viable. He now hopes to have the matter concluded by mid-July.

A psychologist testified at the hearing last month that Black is not necessarily at a high risk to reoffend if he gets intensive, long-term therapy.

But a psychiatrist testified that officials can’t presume to understand Black and what he’s capable of given what he did to Bird, even though he had no history of violence.

Black remains in custody at the Regina Correctional Centre and has apologized for the attack. He also said he understands that Bird and her family have not forgiven him, and he accepts any sentence he’s given.

(CKBI, The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press