Paris Jayanne Laroche is scheduled to go on trial in B.C. Supreme Court before a judge and jury commencing on Jan. 22, 2024. (Submitted photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

murder trial

Stage set for murder trial for Nanaimo woman accused of killing ex-boyfriend

Oct 24, 2023 | 4:11 PM

NANAIMO — Final details between the Crown and defence have been ironed out in advance of an expected lengthy murder trial in Nanaimo next year.

Paris Jayanne Laroche, 27, is charged with first degree murder and indecent handling of human remains in relation to the death of her former partner, 32-year-old Sidney Joseph Mantee.

On Tuesday, Oct. 24 a brief pre-trial conference in Nanaimo solidified timelines of the upcoming legal process surrounding a scheduled month-long trial.

Laroche has elected to be tried by a jury in a B.C. Supreme Court trial beginning on Jan. 22, 2024.

She will be asked to enter a plea on the first day of the trial in front of the judge and jury.

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Mantee was allegedly murdered about two years prior to Laroche’s March 9, 2022 arrest in connection to Mantee’s death.

Laroche was denied bail in late July 2022.

She was ordered to stand trial earlier this year following a preliminary inquiry in Nanaimo.

Evidence submitted during pre-trial hearings cannot be revealed publicly in order to protect the integrity of the pending trial.

Mantee was the source of a historical missing persons investigation in which Nanaimo RCMP suspected foul play was involved.

Nanaimo RCMP conducted various searches around Nanaimo in May 2021, including at the Rosehill St. apartment where police said Mantee had lived.

Laroche, who was born and raised in Nanaimo, has no prior criminal record.

Sidney Mantee was allegedly murdered by his former girlfriend Paris Laroche. (Nanaimo RCMP/NanaimoNewsNOW File Photo)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes