'High-risk' Kitchener killer gets statutory release
A Kitchener man, who admitted to choking his roommate to death, is getting a second chance at statutory release.
Kevin Koehler, 59, will soon be transferred to what’s often referred to as a halfway house, where he’ll have to follow strict conditions.
The Parole Board of Canada, however, isn’t optimistic about his chances in the community. They say Koehler has a history of violent criminal behaviour and consider him “high risk.”
May’s murder
On Sept. 18, 2013, Koehler and his girlfriend were drinking and playing loud music at his apartment on Margaret Avenue. His roommate, Mary Anne May, was upset and locked herself in her room. She then called and texted the landlord repeatedly, who suggested she call police.
Koehler later admitted that he killed May, wrapped her body in blankets, loaded her into a child’s bike trailer and attempted to dispose of her remains.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2015 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
History of violence
Koehler is also responsible for three other deaths.
He was behind the wheel during a high-speed chase that ended with a fiery crash near Walkerton in 1985. Two teens who were passengers in the vehicle and an OPP officer were killed.
Koehler spent nearly three years behind bars.
Koehler’s first release
Koehler was first granted a statutory release in 2022.
He breached the conditions a few months later after he failed to report a relationship with a woman.
“The accusation was, a couple of years ago, that he was sort of hiding that from his supervisors, that he was doing things behind their back,” explained Ari Goldkind, a lawyer not involved in the case. “They found that to be an unsuitable risk. They put him back in jail.”
Goldkind said statutory release usually comes with strict restrictions and is mandatory after two-thirds of a sentence is served.
“If it goes any longer, he would be released at warrant expiry, which mean they would have no jurisdiction over him,” Goldkind explained. “The idea is that you don’t want to release somebody willy-nilly into the community without supports, without supervision. You want to graduate their release.”
Now Koehler’s getting a second chance, but officials aren’t convinced he won’t end up back behind bars.
A report by the Parole Board of Canada stated: “Given the nature of your offences, your poor supervision history, the lack of any supports in the community, and concern to protect public safety, the board does not believe that your risk can be managed on leave privileges.”
Koehler’s conditions include not consuming drugs or alcohol, a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., following a treatment plan, and reporting all sexual and non-sexual relationships.
The parole board called Koehler a high-risk/high-needs offender with low integration potential, adding that his supervision history is poor and includes numerous breaches of trust.
Their report also said that Koehler has never successfully completed a term of probation.
The release decision does not say when Koehler will be transferred or where the approved facility will be located.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7032779.1726006252!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
TONIGHT Watch live here: The Trump-Harris 2024 presidential debate is tonight
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will meet face-to-face tonight in the ABC presidential debate. Here's how to watch the event that comes just two months before election day.
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
6 things to watch for when Kamala Harris debates Donald Trump
The fundamental question ahead of their meeting in Philadelphia, one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation, is whether – and how – the presidential candidates can deliver a compelling message.
Canadians want to tip 15% at restaurants, don't want to tip for takeout, survey says
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.
$2M home belonging to children's musician Raffi on the market
Canada’s children’s troubadour is selling his B.C. home, which is now up for grabs for $1,995,000.
Terror suspect entered Canada with student visa in June 2023, immigration minister confirms
A Pakistani citizen who was arrested last week in Quebec and charged with plotting a terrorist attack in New York City came to Canada on a student visa in June 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed.
'A decisive time': Mark Carney calls new role 'an honour,' dodges questions about running for office
In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said it's 'an honour' to serve in his new role, but wouldn't say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether he'll recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
Joly says Canada bars any Canadian-made arms from reaching Gaza
Canadian-made weapons will be prohibited from reaching the Gaza Strip, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Tuesday.