Woman convicted of 2024 second-degree murder of ex-boyfriend in Newmarket

A Toronto woman who testified she stabbed her estranged boyfriend in self-defence two years ago has been found guilty of second-degree murder.

Mckenzie Gill hugged her lawyer and wiped away tears as Superior Court Justice Vanessa Christie explained why she rejected Gill’s testimony and found her guilty of murdering 36-year-old Blake Bibby.

“The court is fully satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Gill knew that by plunging a blade into Mr. Bibby’s chest in the area of his heart, she intended to cause him bodily harm that was likely to cause death and was reckless as to whether he died or not,” Christine said, explaining any concerns Gill had about Bibby’s life, came after the fact.

Court heard that the couple had been in and on-and-off again relationship since February 2022, and all parties agreed it was volatile and violent.

Bibby had been charged with assaulting Gill three times and she had been charged with assaulting him once, after punching him and throwing a phone case at him in June 2023.

On July 14, 2024, Gill and Bibby were at Bibby’s apartment on Millard Avenue in Newmarket. At the time, Bibby was subject to two court orders that prohibited him having contact with Gill.

Gill admitted to stabbing Bibby once in the chest with a kitchen knife. She called 911 and lied about her identity and about what happened, before fleeing the scene. She was arrested two days later.

Christie was satisfied that there was a great deal of violence in the relationship, that Gill suffered abuse at the hands of Bibby and said there was abundant evidence that Bibby was the primary perpetrator of the violence.

According to an agreed statement of facts, in October 2022, Gill acted in self-defence when she stabbed Bibby in the shoulder after she was injured that day.

He also had a history of violence towards other women including his own grandmother.

Christie said she had concerns about Gill’s credibility in general finding that she gave several versions of the events to various people.

“Ms. Gill claimed she didn’t want to hurt Mr. Bibby in any way, she wanted to leave and this happened. The court finds she had numerous opportunities to leave,” said Christie.

The judge also found that Gill’s statements to 911 operators were misleading, despite the fact she called to obtain medical assistance.

“She didn’t advise 911 it was a stab wound to the chest,” said Christie, explaining she told the operator he got into a fight and was bleeding. “The obvious urgency was not being conveyed to 911.”