HALIFAX — A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal beating death of a prominent gay rights activist outside a Halifax bar more than three years ago.
Andre Noel Denny was originally charged with second-degree murder but the Crown and his defence lawyer say he pleaded guilty to manslaughter today in the April 2012 death of 49-year-old Raymond Taavel.
Denny, who is from Membertou, N.S., was originally scheduled to stand trial on the murder charge in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in September but it was delayed when he fired his lawyer.
Taavel, who worked with gay organizations both provincially and nationally, died outside Menz bar on Gottingen Street following an altercation.
Hundreds attended vigils for Taavel, who was remembered at the time by former Nova Scotia premier Darrell Dexter as a champion in the fight against discrimination, violence and intolerance.
Denny is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 25 and 26.
