'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
BREAKING Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
PM Justin Trudeau to adjust cabinet roles today, as Pablo Rodriguez quits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be making adjustments to his cabinet today, CTV News has confirmed. The small shuffle is the result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez quitting.
BREAKING François Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier François Legault is calling on the Bloc Québécois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.
BREAKING Health Canada approves updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
An updated version of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by Canada’s health agency.
Hezbollah leader vows retaliation against Israel for attacks on devices as both sides trade strikes
The leader of Hezbollah vowed to keep up daily strikes on Israel despite this week's mass bombing attack on its communication devices, and said Israelis displaced by the fighting from homes near the Lebanon border would not be able to return until the war in Gaza ends.
Canadian among dozens arrested in Ghost app global cybercrime crackdown
A Canadian suspect was among dozens arrested around the world in a global crackdown on the encrypted communication platform, called Ghost, according to the RCMP.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.
Huge python grabs Thai woman in her kitchen, squeezes her two hours before she can be freed
A 64-year-old woman was preparing to do her evening dishes at her home outside Bangkok when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and looked down to see a huge python taking hold of her.