Court lowers murder charges against John Paul Ostamas: lawyer

Two charges against John Paul Ostamas have been reduced from first-degree murder to second-degree murder says his defence lawyer, Greg Brodsky.

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Ostamas now faces three charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of 37-year-old Miles Monias, 48-year-old Stony Stanley Bushie and 65-year-old Donald Collins, saidBrodsky.

All three men were homeless at the time of their deaths, as was Ostamas when the men were killed.

Crown attorneys did not oppose Brodsky's motion to reduce two of the charges to second-degree murder. That decision is an"encouragement" forOstamas toplead guilty, Brodskysaid.

When asked whether his client plans plead guilty, Brodsky said he still has to resolve some undisclosed disputes.

"Before I make any commitments I want to see how we resolve these matters in dispute," said Brodsky.

The lawyerwouldn't say what the mattersare, only that they are notappropriate to discuss with media.

Brodsky did saythere is no question his client is responsible for the deaths ofMonias, Bushie and Collins.

"The fact that he did it isn't in dispute because they were recorded on surveillance cameras," said Brodsky

Ostamas does not wish to pursue a defense of not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder, the lawyer said.

Ostamasis scheduled to appear in court May 11 at which time a date for a resolution conference will be scheduled.

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