Statement on Peter Khill Verdict
After undergoing a third trial for the killing of Jonathan Styres in 2016, Peter Khill has been found guilty of manslaughter in Jonathan’s death.
Jonathan was a Six Nations band member and died in February 2016 after being shot twice by Khill, who was originally acquitted of second-degree murder in June 2018. The case was ordered to a new trial by the Ontario Court of Appeal, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in October 2021.
While Six Nations of the Grand River is glad that Jonathan’s killer is being held accountable for his death, we are disappointed that the clear evidence presented was not enough to convince the jury of second-degree murder. Jonathan is not alive today because he was intentionally shot twice. Indigenous people deserve a judicial system that values our lives and one that is worthy of our trust. There is still plenty of work to be done to ensure an equitable and fair justice system that meaningfully addresses the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples within that system.
Our thoughts remain with Jonathan’s entire family, his partner, Lindsay Hill, and their two daughters as they continue to heal from Jonathan’s death.
Below is a statement from Lindsay Hill:
“Finally, Jon’s killer has been held accountable. While I believe that it should have been second-degree murder, I am relieved that he was found guilty of unlawfully killing Jon. Although there is a conviction, it in no way compares to the loss my daughters and I have endured and will continue to endure.”
After nearly seven years of investigation, court proceedings, pain, and heartache, Six Nations has finally been given a sense of closure knowing that Jonathan’s killer has been brought to justice. We must now heal from this as a community and lean on one another as we continue to process our grief.
Six Nations community members who are struggling with this news and need someone to talk to are encouraged to reach out to our 24-Hour Crisis Line at (519)-445-2204, or to Six Nations Mental Health and Addictions at (519)-445-2143.