Closing arguments made in first-degree murder trial of Hamilton man

A Hamilton court heard final arguments from the Crown and the accused’s legal team on Monday, as Keith Overholt’s first-degree murder trial starts to wrap up.

The Crown told the jury Overholt went on a killing spree, with a motive of hunting humans.

There were three victims within a seven-hour period on the evening of Nov. 9, 2020, when Overholt went his alleged rampage.

His first victim was an unsuspecting woman on York Boulevard near Queen Street. Both the Crown and the defence agree the woman was beat with a large stick, struck over the head 14 times by Overholt. She was saved after a Good Samaritan came outside and scared Overholt off.

“He wanted the experience of killing a stranger,” the Crown argued.

He then allegedly changed outfits, and found another victim in an alley way near James Street South, who he stabbed 37 times.

Twenty-nine-year-old Andrew Ainscow died as a result of the attack.

Meantime, criminal defence lawyer Michael Puskas tried to cast doubt over Overholt’s intentions and actions, saying he did not intend to kill his first victim.

Instead, he says while the beating was serious, it was closer to aggravated assault than attempted murder.

He also said there is a chance Overholt was not the one who took Ainscow’s life, but rather found the murder weapon and picked it up. He continued by suggesting Overholt would have had more blood on him if he was the suspect who stabbed the man 37 times.

The accused has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, and two counts of attempted murder.

The judge’s charge to the jury is expected to wrap up on Tuesday, when they will be sent off to deliberate.

READ MORE: Crown presents DNA evidence in trial of Keith Overholt for fatal Hamilton stabbing