Race has surfaced as an issue in the trial of a Canadian Native man charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering a six-year-old girl.

Clifford Sleigh, 43, is accused of taking and killing Corinne "Punky" Gustavson more than a decade ago in Edmonton, Alberta. DNA evidence links him to the crime, the government said.

On the opening day of the trial yesterday, the government prosecutor said a witness who saw the alleged kidnapping will refer to Sleigh by his race. "She'll tell you one native man took Punky," the prosecutor was quoted as saying.

Potential jurors were asked about their views on Native people. "Do you believe that native persons have a greater tendency to lie than persons of other race? Do you think of native Canadian males as prone to drunkenness? Do you think of native Canadian males as prone to violence" they were asked, The Edmonton Sun reported.

Sleigh admitted to the kidnapping and sexual assault charges, which was accepted in court. But the government refused his offer to plead to a lesser charge of manslaughter and said they will continue the trial on first-degree murder.

Get the Story:
In the wrong place (The Edmonton Sun 5/10)
DNA technology key (The Edmonton Sun 5/10)
Manslaughter plea rejected in child slaying (CP 5/10)
Man charged in girl's murder admits to sexual assault (CBC 5/9)
Sleigh admits to taking, sexually assaulting girl: trial (CBC 5/9)
Potential jurors tested on racism (The Edmonton Sun 5/5)