Hamilton jury finds Keith Overholt guilty on all counts after short deliberation

A jury has found Keith Overholt guilty on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

After a delay Tuesday morning when Overholt refused to leave his cell, jury deliberations were underway in the early afternoon.

The centre of their debate was two items; whether Overholt’s actions amount to first or second-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Andrew Ainscow, and if his attack on his first victim was aggravated assault, or attempted murder.

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, an unsuspecting woman on York Boulevard near Queen Street, was struck over the head 14 times by Overholt. She was saved after a Good Samaritan came outside and scared the accused off.

He then allegedly changed outfits and found Ainscow in an alley way near James Street South, where he stabbed him 37 times.

The jury deliberated for less than a day before finding Overholt guilty on all counts. He will be sentenced at a later date.

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