Blood pattern analyst testifies at Peter Khill murder trial

Peter Khill is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jonathan Styres.

On Tuesday the jury heard from a blood pattern analyst, Colin Hoare who said that based on the blood spatter on Peter Khill’s pickup truck, 29-year-old Jonathan Styres would have had to be within four to five feet of the vehicle, with the passenger side door open, facing the inside of the truck when the shooting occurred.

Hoare’s testimony was picked apart by defence lawyer Jeff Manishen who questioned the Crown’s expert witness’ due diligence when investigating the matter. Hoare admitted that he never examined a copy of the x-rays, and never saw any of the victims’ clothes or injuries when coming to his conclusions.

READ MORE: Peter Khill’s wife testifies at second-degree murder trial of Jonathan Styres

The shooting happened in February 2016 on Khill’s property in Hannon. Khill admitted to shooting Styres, as the man allegedly attempted to steal Khill’s truck. Styres was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the shoulder, so it is not a matter of whether or not Khill shot Styres, but whether Khill intended to kill the man, and had the state of mind required for murder.

READ MORE: Jury hears suggestion that Khill acted in self-defence against Styres

The trial by jury is expected to continue Wednesday at John Sopinka courthouse in Hamilton.