Warning: This article contains disturbing images and descriptions of intimate partner violence
A Newmarket judge has found McKenzie Gill guilty of second-degree murder in the July 2024 stabbing of her ex-boyfriend Blake Bibby.
Despite claims of self-defence, Gill was convicted of murder by Justice Vanessa Christie for the stabbing following an alcohol-fuelled argument inside Bibby’s Millard Avenue Newmarket apartment.
“We just want some justice for our son,” said Craig Bibby. “Absolutely there were no angels in this case and he did not deserve to die.”
Gill was convicted after nine days of trial that heard the 33-year-old take the witness stand, testifying Bibby ran toward her that night and she stabbed him in the chest.
The defence argued Gill was defending herself from an abusive on-again, off-again boyfriend.
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The court heard of a violent, volatile relationship that included criminal charges and court orders that Bibby and Gill stay away from one another.
The defence argued Gill faced a serious threat of violence, having been choked and hit by Bibby in the past.
Defence lawyers Sherif Foda and Rick Frank argued the accused should have been found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
But Justice Christie disagreed, finding Gill deliberately stabbed Bibby knowing the consequences of her actions and that she only had concern about his life after the fact.
Justice Vanessa Christie ruled while Bibby was often violent and the predominant aggressor, it was clear on the night he died that Gill knew what she was doing.
The judge rejected Gill’s claims that she was in danger of being assaulted or killed by Bibby.
The judge called Gill’s actions “retaliation” saying “There was no force used or threatened on her,” and that Gill “was not in fear, she was furious.”
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Justice Christie ruled Gill was demeaned and shamed by Bibby and “had had enough” that night.
The verbal argument escalated “to jealous rage and vengeance” pointing to Gill’s “chilling tone” in her call to 911.
Gill could be heard lying to the dispatcher about who she was and what had happened to Bibby, chuckling at one point.
Justice Christie contrasted the call with one from years earlier when Gill had been previously assaulted by Bibby.
Gill had been on bail, under strict conditions including wearing a GPS ankle monitor, since her arrest on the night of July 14, 2024, Justice Christie ordered Gill be taken into custody following the murder conviction.
The defence declined to comment on Justice Christie’s rulings.
Gill cried in the arms of loved ones before stepping into custody.
“We don’t know how we’re going to be going forward in the future,” said Bibby’s father.
“But we only hope that Blake will see that this has all come to pass and it went his way.”
While the Crown and defence figure out next steps, Gill is scheduled to return to a virtual courtroom from jail in two weeks.
