Peter Khill, accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jonathan Styres took the stand on Wednesday in his own defence.
Khill told the jury that his military training took over when he saw that someone was breaking into his truck in February 2016. Khill testified that calling 911 never crossed his mind.
Khill told the jury today that in February 2016, he kept a shotgun in his bedroom. “Obviously I never wanted to use it but I wanted it to be there in case I needed it.”
Khill said he had been worried, and so was his wife about potential break-ins, which were becoming an issue in his Binbrook neighbourhood.
In the early hours of Feb. 4, 2016, Khill’s girlfriend woke him up and asked if he had heard something. Soon after he heard two loud bangs and looked out his window to see the radio lights on in his pickup truck. He testified that’s when he grabbed his gun and headed outside, still in his boxers and a t-shirt.
Khill said his military training taught him that he needed to be in control of the situation so he yelled out to the person he saw leaning into his truck, “hey hands up” he testified but that’s when Khill said that it appeared 29-year-old Jonathan Styres had something in his hand and was turning towards him.
Khill shot Styres twice aiming at centre mass like his training taught him he told the jury today.
Before Khill took the stand, one of his Canadian Armed Forces trainers testified that the purpose of some of the training was “to teach people to be ready to kill if needed.” Adding that “any posture where it looks like (a person) could be holding a weapon, that’s an immediate threat.”
This case hinges on self-defence and whether or not the jury believes that Khill acted for fear of losing his own life.
Khill did not have to take the stand in his own defence and in his opening statement, defence lawyer Jeff Manishen reminded the jury that Khill does not have to prove his innocence. It’s the Crown’s job to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Khill will be cross-examined on Thursday.
