Supportive housing resident found guilty of murdering worker

UPDATE | On Oct. 11, 2024, a judge ruled that Kyle Pflieger won't be able to apply forparole for 14 years.

A judge has found a resident of an eastern Ontario supportivehousing centre guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of a worker at the facility.

Karen Millar, 63, was found beaten to death on July 24, 2020, at Pathways to Independence in Kemptville, Ont., which supports adults with developmental disabilities or brain injuries.

ResidentKyle Pfleiger, who was 32 at the time, was charged withsecond-degree murder and assaulting a peace officer.

On Friday,Justice Robert PelletierfoundPfleigerguilty on allcounts following a judge-only trial that began in March.

While there was no forensicevidence implicatingPfleiger, the totality of the circumstantial evidenceincluding prior angry outbursts, his "palpable" dislike of Millarand her fear of Pfleigerpointed to his guilt,Pelletiersaid during his oral remarks.

Court heard thatPfleigerbeat Millar to death with bolt cutters while she was working aloneduring the first hour of her evening shift.

One ofMillar's family members sobbed as she heard details of what Pelletier called a "most brutal" death.

"This was a very difficult process for Karen Millar's family and friends to go through," Crown lawyer Alan Findlay said via email after the decision. "The decision today will not bring Karen back, but I know that it brings some solace to her family and friends."

Pelletier said that whilePfleigerhad limited cognitive abilities, he was able to determine the consequences of his actions.

Pfleiger faces an automatic life sentence for second-degree murder.

No date has yet been set for sentencing arguments, which will touch on whenPfleigermight become eligible for parole.The Crown and defence agreed to a pre-sentencing psychiatric evaluation.

Michael Spratt,Pflieger's lawyer, said Friday's decision was not the outcome his client wanted, comingafter "a lengthy trial that exposed significant flaws in the case."

"We will carefully review the court's decision and fully consider all of our options," Spratt said via email.

Coworkers still reeling

Workers and residents testified Millar was well-liked by others at the home,Pelletiersaid while summarizing evidence heard earlier in the trial.

Pelletier dismissed another resident as a proposed alternative suspect, citing evidence that the individual had been cordial towardMillar.

Christie Swann, acting CEO of Pathways to Independence, was in the courtroom to hearPelletier's decision on Friday.

In an emailed statement, she said the organization's officials and staff remain deeply saddened by the loss of Millar.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Karen's family and friends," Swann wrote. "We hope that the court's findings provide them with some solace."

After her death, Millar's union called her a valued and respected coworker whose loss as a result of workplace violence was "absolutely unacceptable."

At the time of her death, police issued a hyphenated surname for Millar, but on Friday her family told CBC they prefer Millar alone.