Six Nations council bars man acquitted of murdering one of its members
OHSWEKEN— A Hamilton homeowner acquitted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of an Indigenous man has been barred for life from nearby Six Nations.
The elected band council voted unanimously on Tuesday to banish Peter Khill from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory, home of Jonathan Styres.
Khill, 28, admitted at trial that he shot Styres on the morning of Feb. 4, 2016, but pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, saying he fired in self-defence when he thought Styres was pointing a gun at him.
The jury at last month’s trial heard that Styres, 29, did not have a gun.
Khill’s defence said at trial that he found Styres rummaging through his truck in the middle of the night and he fell back on his army reserve training, taking his shotgun outside to “neutralize the threat.”
After the June 27 verdict, Six Nations elected Chief Ava Hill questioned how Indigenous people could have faith in a justice system that “fails to hold anyone accountable for the taking of a life.”
Elected council has also asked new Ontario Attorney General Caroline Mulroney to appeal the verdict, which found Khill not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
A ministry spokesperson recently told The Spectator it would not be appropriate to comment during the appeal period.
Khill’s lawyer during the twoweek trial, Jeffrey Manishen, has also declined to comment.
The Chiefs of Ontario and Assembly of First Nations have joined Six Nations in calling for changes to Canada’s justice system.
They have pointed to a lack of Indigenous representation on juries and the disproportionate number of Indigenous people in correctional institutions.