Two Orangeville men have been committed for trial on manslaughter charges in the May 15, 2008, killing of Ariel Besley, 18, of Brampton, whose body was found beside Old School Road in Caledon.

David Davidson, 23, and Gregory Rose, 27, have elected to be tried by judge and jury in trials to be held in Brampton.

Peel Regional Police originally charged the two men and Roy Rousseau, 25, of Brampton with firstdegree murder in March 2009. All three have remained in custody since the arrests.

Ontario Court Justice Paul Currie reduced the charges against the two Orangeville men following their lengthy preliminary hearings but committed Mr. Rousseau for trial on the original charge. Mr. Rousseau will also face a judge and jury in Brampton.

Mr. Rose has been represented by Orangeville lawyer Carrie-Anne Bellan, Mr. Davidson by Toronto lawyer Christopher Hicks, and Mr. Rousseau by Toronto lawyer Mary Cremer. Rob Federly was the Crown prosecutor.

There’s the usual publication ban on evidence adduced at the preliminary hearing.

In other Orangeville court matters, a preliminary hearing for Robert Francis Richards, 43, is set to begin Aug. 3. He faces charges of brutally assaulting Lenore Wirtz at Credit Creek Clothing in July 2009.

Those charges include attempted murder, assault with a weapon, choking, aggravated assault, forcible confinement and theft over $5,000.

He had been arrested within days of the occurrence at a Mississauga motel, in possession of Ms. Wirtz’s vehicle, and has been in custody since. He is represented by Ms. Bellan.

Mr. Richards also faces charges in Toronto of a similar offence upon a female at Flowers by Sophie on The Queensway. The Toronto charges of attempt murder, aggravated assault, assault with weapon, choking, forcible confinement and robbery are in connection with a May 28, 2009, incident.