The mother of Jonathan Styres’ two children told a Hamilton court last week that the killing of the Six Nations man in 2016 was a “blatant disregard for life” that was “completely heartbreaking.”
The shooter, Peter Khill, was convicted of manslaughter in December in the shooting death of Styres and is facing sentencing for his crime.
Victim impact statements were read in a Hamilton court last Friday, with Lindsay Hill, the mother of Styres’ surviving children, said her life continues to be affected by the loss of Styres.
Khill fatally shot Styres on a cold February morning in 2016 when Khill spotted Styres rummaging in Khill’s truck in the driveway of his Binbrook property.
Khill argued self-defence but after three trials, he was found guilty of manslaughter.
“Every birthday, every holiday is like a punch in the gut and brings back the extreme loss that I have endured,” said Hill.
Mother-in-law Vicky Martin said the two girls are the “forgotten victims” of the shooting death that left them without a father.
“They know her was shot and died,” said Martin.
Six Nations Elected Chief Mark Hill also attended last Friday’s hearing and said Styres’ death exacerbated fears among community members leaving the reserve.
Styres’ mother said his death has turned her world upside down.
Family members have said Khill has a heart of gold and that the killing has resulted in “unimaginable stress” for the 33-year-old.
Khill has also been the target of death threats, the court heard.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about Jon Styres and his family,” said Khill.
Judge Andrew Goodman will return with a sentencing decision on June 6 at 10 a.m.
