Manitoba man accused of killing five family members fires lawyers for second time

A Manitoba man who is accused of killing his three young children, their mother and a teenage relative has parted ways with his lawyers for the second in less than a year. RCMP fly a drone at the scene of an ongoing investigation regarding five deaths in southern Manitoba, in Carman, Man., Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

WINNIPEG — A Manitoba man accused of killing his three young children, their mother and a teen relative has parted ways with his lawyers for the second time this year.

Ryan Manoakeesick, who is charged with five counts of first-degree murder, is seeking new counsel because of a breakdown in the relationship with his lawyers.

"We were hopeful that we would be able to maintain that solicitor-client relationship in good standing with Mr. Manoakeesick. But ultimately his latest instructions to us are inconsistent with the last set of instructions of this week," Crystal Antila, one of the lawyers, told Court of King's Bench Justice Candace Grammond on Thursday.

"And at this point he also wishes to explore the opportunity to find other counsel."

Court heard Manoakeesick was set to enter a plea, but the Crown was advised that was no longer happening and he wanted new lawyers.

Manoakeesick also fired his lawyers in January over disagreements.

Manoakeesick was arrested in February 2024 following the deaths of his partner, Amanda Clearwater, their children — Bethany, 6, Jayven, 4, and two-month-old Isabella — and Clearwater's 17-year-old niece, Myan-Lee Gratton.

Police were first called to an area outside Carman, a town southwest of Winnipeg, for a report of a hit-and-run, and Clearwater's body was found in a ditch.

A couple hours later, officers were called about a burning vehicle 70 kilometres away. Police said witnesses saw Manoakeesick pull three children from the car.

Further investigation led officers to the family home in Carman, where they found the body of the teen.

A judge-alone trial has been scheduled for next April. The judge told Manoakeesick the change in lawyers doesn't mean the trial date will change.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2026.

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press