Crown presents DNA evidence in trial of Keith Overholt for fatal Hamilton stabbing

A Hamilton man accused of murder was captured on video smashing a piece of wood over a woman’s head in a building before fleeing the scene, according to testimony presented in court.

The Crown alleges that Keith Overholt, the man seen in the footage, waited about 20 seconds before walking up to the woman and repeatedly striking her with the stick. The attack only ended when nearby residents emerged from a building and scared him off.

Two hours later, Overholt was reportedly seen at an Esso gas station on King Street, where he allegedly shoplifted a hat. Though his clothing changed, video evidence shown in court indicated that he was still wearing the same New Balance running shoes.

Hours after the gas station incident, the Crown says Overholt was spotted in an alley on Duke Street near James Street South. It was in this area that the body of 29-year-old Andrew Ainscow was discovered the morning of Nov. 10, 2020. Ainscow had been brutally stabbed 37 times.

During today’s proceedings at the John Sopinka Courthouse, the Crown called forensic biologist Monica Sloan as an expert witness. Sloan testified that blood spots found on the New Balance shoes Overholt was wearing when he was arrested were tested, and the results showed a trillion-to-one probability that the blood belonged to Ainscow.

The Crown also presented evidence that after Ainscow’s murder, Overholt allegedly swung a knife at another man, though that individual was not injured.

The Crown is nearing the end of its case.