The Crown is appealing the not-guilty verdict for Peter Khill in the killing of Jon Styres.
“I can confirm that today, the Crown filed a Notice of Appeal in the matter of R. v. Khill with the Ontario Court of Appeal,” wrote Brian Gray, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General in an email to CBC News on Thursday.
“As the matter is currently before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Khill, a Hamilton-area homeowner admitted he fired two shotgun blasts that killed Styres, who was allegedly trying to steal his truck on the night of Feb. 4, 2016. The 28-year-old pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, saying he was following his military training and fired in self-defence.
Prosecutors argued he could have stayed in his house and called 911, but a jury acquitted Khill on June 27.
Khill says trial was fair
Hamilton criminal lawyer Jeff Manishen defended Khill during the criminal trial and said his client is “disappointed” that “after all of the attention his case has received” he will have to retain a lawyer and respond to the Crown’s appeal.
“He believes that the trial was conducted with fairness for all concerned and without error on the part of the trial judge or the jury,” said Manishen, adding Khill wants the appeal to be heard as soon as possible.
Indigenous leaders critical of verdict
Styres was from Ohsweken, Ont. on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve. Elected-Chief Ava Hill was among those calling for an appeal and spoke with newly-elected Attorney General Caroline Mulroney, asking her to challenge the not-guilty verdict, which was criticized by Indigenous leaders across the province.
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald issued a statement describing Styres as “another victim of senseless violence” and said Indigenous people across Canada still face prejudice and racism that shakes their confidence in the justice system.
“This sort of extreme violence – shooting an unarmed man – is not acceptable in Canada,” she said. “No one should place the value of a possession over the sacred life of a human being.”
More to come.