WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS CONTENT THAT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL READERS
Taken to a secluded area against her will, stabbed twice and the offender is out on bail. The judge overseeing the trial for 74-year-old William or “Bill” Kirby has found the former Arnprior resident NOT GUILTY of attempted murder this morning (March 25th, 2021). While Justice Martin James did not convict Kirby on the attempted murder charges, he was found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated assault and for issuing threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Kirby was arrested September 13th of 2018 after a woman was found with stab wounds in a wooded area at the end of Gunsmith Road in McNab/Braeside. In his decision Justice James said Kirby took the victim against her will to a remote location and stabbed her in the stomach and neck before calling 911.
The judge questioned why Kirby used a small throwing knife as a weapon when other instruments (such as a drywall knife) were available in the vehicle. Justice James added when Kirby had a “change of heart” and called 911, it could have saved the victims life.
Assistant Crown Attorney Caitlin Downing argued that Kirby tried to kill the victim before attempting to take his own life. In an audio recording that was submitted as evidence, Kirby can be heard saying “F**k I can’t bleed” and was treated for slash injuries to his forearm and wrist.
In terms of the kidnapping charges, Justice James says while the victim got in his vehicle willingly, Kirby used violence and intimidation to confine her and ignored her requests to be let out.
For the charges of issuing threats, Justice James found Kirby guilty of threatening to run the victim when she tried to get out of his moving vehicle. The victim told the court Kirby also said it would be her last day on earth and “today’s your day to die you lying sl**”, however Justice James said it was unclear as to exactly what was said.
Kirby was found guilty of aggravated assault for stabbing the victim once in the stomach and once in the neck with a throwing knife. Kirby argued that the victim tried to hit him with a stick and the wound was inflicted out of self-defense. Kirby also argued that the victim fell on a marijuana stalk whe she cut her neck. The judge said the wound on the neck was similar in shape and size to where the knife cut the victim in the stomach. A trauma doctor said the stab wounds pierced the muscle layer, but there was no damage to the internal organs. The victim also required two units of blood at the hospital and still has aches and pains in her neck to this day.
After Kirby was found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated assault and uttering threats this morning, the crown asked for bail to be revoked. Downing said since Kirby is no longer an accused and is now a convicted offender of violent crimes and no longer presumed innocent, he should be held in custody until sentencing.
Justice James denied the request to revoke bail. The judge said this decision was based off the age, health conditions and situation surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirby has been out on bail since he was arrested back on September 13th of 2018.
At the end of 2020, Kirby was found guilty of a number of sexual assault related offences including indecent assault, and pointing a firearm for incidents involving two victims dating back almost 50-years. Sentencing for the historic sexual assault charges will take place May 10th, 2021.
The court proceeding involving the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges has been pushed back to May 25th at 10:00am.
Until Kirby is sentenced he will remain out on bail living at the John Howard Bail House in Ottawa. Justice James has imposed a curfew from 7am to 7pm and also banned Kirby from attending Renfrew County.
PREVIOUS STORIES:
All evidence submitted and Kirby denies trying to kill and kidnapping ex-partner
Kirby found guilty of sexual assault, indecent assault and pointing a firearm
Kirby accused of recording phone calls, forced sex and several counts of assault