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Man pleads out to manslaughter in death

MEDICINE HAT — A man accused in the death of a 17-year-old girl in southern Alberta four years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

MEDICINE HAT — A man accused in the death of a 17-year-old girl in southern Alberta four years ago has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Colin Winsor was charged with second-degree murder in July 2006 after Ashton Moen’s decomposed body — wrapped in a blanket and tied with cable — was found near an irrigation canal outside Brooks.

She had been missing for nearly two weeks.

Winsor, who is 34, entered the plea Tuesday as he was facing his second trial in the teen’s death. He was originally convicted of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 18 years.

But the Alberta Court of Appeal granted a re-trial after it ruled the original trial judge made mistakes when he charged the jury.

Court heard Winsor and Moen were friends from work and decided to get together at his apartment June 19, 2006. Moen died after Winsor punched her during a verbal dispute.

Several of Moen’s family members were expected to read victim impact statements before a judge hands down her decision.