Supportive housing resident found guilty of murdering worker

A judge has found a resident of an eastern Ontario supportive housing 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.

Resident Kyle Pfleiger, who was 32 at the time, was charged with second-degree murder and assaulting a peace officer.

On Friday, Justice Robert Pelletier found Pfleiger guilty on all counts following a judge-only trial that began in March.

While there was no forensic evidence implicating Pfleiger, the totality of the circumstantial evidence including prior angry outbursts, his "palpable" dislike of Millar and her fear of Pfleiger pointed to his guilt, Pelletier said during his oral remarks.

A judge delivered his decision on Pflieger's guilt from a courthouse in Brockville, Ont., on Friday, June 7, 2024. (Matthew Kupfer/CBC)

Court heard that Pfleiger beat Millar to death with bolt cutters while she was working alone during the first hour of her evening shift.

One of Millar'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 while Pfleiger had 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 when Pfleiger might 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, coming after "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, Pelletier said 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 toward Millar.

Christie Swann, acting CEO of Pathways to Independence, was in the courtroom to hear Pelletier'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.