Andre Denny pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of gay rights activist

The man accused of killing Raymond Taavel has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Andre Noel Denny, 36, had been charged with second-degree murder in the April 2012 death of the gay rights activist but pleaded guilty Tuesday to the lesser charge.

Taavel, 49, died outside Menz Bar, a popular gay club on Gottingen Street in Halifax, following an altercation.

In court documents, Denny is described as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. He is also described as being grossly psychotic with a history of aggressive impulsivity and unpredictability.

On Wednesday, the court heard that Denny fought with two men that night in 2012, one of whom was Taavel. Denny punched Taavel twice in the head knocking him down. 

The court was told once Taavel was on the ground, Denny kicked him in the head and then slammed his face several times into the pavement.

Denny then turned his attention to the second man who fled. Denny returned to Taavel, who was motionless on the pavement.

Denny slammed Taavel's head four to five more times into the ground, court heard. A passing motorist called 911. Once police arrived, a canine unit found Denny in a nearby alley.

'A brutal murder'

Crown attorney James Giacomantonio described Taavel's death as a senseless, "brutal murder." 

"Mr. Taavel was killed in the middle of the street," Giacomantonio said. "He was beaten to death for what we believe is almost no reason."

However, he added, manslaughter is the appropriate plea due to the circumstances of the crime.

"Second-degree murder requires the specific intent to kill or the knowledge that you are likely to cause death. Manslaughter is an unlawful act — in this case, an assault that caused death," Giacomantonio said.

AWOL patient prompts policy changes

Through a Mi'kmaq translator, Denny confirmed Tuesday he was prepared to be tried by judge alone. In Mi'kmaq, Denny also told the court that he regrets what happened that night and apologized to Taavel's family. 

At the time of Taavel's death, Denny was a patient at the East Coast Forensic Hospital, a mental health facility that deals with people who come through the judicial system, but had gone AWOL.

Denny was at the hospital after being found not criminally responsible for previous offences.

According to the agreed statement of facts, Denny and two other residents left the ECFH without permission on April 16, 2012. That evening, the three consumed some alcohol and crack cocaine, court heard. Denny then separated from his friends and made his way to Menz Bar.

Taavel's death prompted Nova Scotia to make changes to the leave granted to patients at the ECFH.

The Membertou man was expected to stand trial in September 2014, but the proceedings were delayed when he fired his lawyer for the second time. 

Denny has been in custody at the East Coast Forensic Hospital since his arrest in 2012. 

His sentencing is tentatively set for Jan. 25 and 26. The Crown said there will not be a joint sentencing recommendation.