The family of Patrick McGregor expressed relief and gratitude Thursday after a jury convicted Kyle Smith of second-degree murder.
“I want to get across how grateful I am,” his mother, Christine McGregor, told reporters outside the courthouse.
“It’s been hell, waiting and listening to (Smith’s) sob story.”
McGregor was killed just after 2:20 a.m. Sept. 7, 2021, outside the Esso gas station at the corner of Notre Dame Avenue and Lasalle Boulevard.
Smith stabbed him in the neck, hitting the jugular vein, and then ran him over using McGregor’s own red Dodge Magnum.
Smith testified that McGregor tried to stab him first and that he grabbed the knife in self-defence and hit him back with it.
When a stunned McGregor got out of the driver’s side of the vehicle, Smith claimed he followed him out to try and help him.
Then he claimed he panicked, got back in the car and drove away, accidentally running McGregor over in the process.
But the jury believed the Crown’s version of events. Smith, an admitted drug addict, was upset that McGregor gave him just $200 in cocaine in exchange for a $750 silver chain.
He later stole $200 from his grandfather and met up with McGregor, intent on getting him to sell him his chain back. It held a lot of sentimental value to Smith, in addition to the monetary value.
Bought him a bottle of pop
When McGregor repeatedly refused to sell it to him for the $200, Smith asked him to pull into the gas station. He went inside and bought McGregor a bottle of pop, hoping the peace offering would convince him to sell him his chain back.
When McGregor refused a final time, Smith stabbed him in the neck as McGregor drove out of the gas station parking lot. As he got out of the car bleeding heavily, Smith followed him, checking McGregor’s pockets for the chain as he lay on the ground.
When Smith didn’t find it, he ran over a now standing McGregor to ensure he couldn’t tell anyone what Smith had done. Then he drove McGregor’s car to a nearby parking lot and searched the vehicle for the chain.
Christine said it was particularly difficult to listen to Smith’s “sob story” about trying to help her son after he stabbed him.
“(Smith) was not being compassionate,” she said. “He was going through my son’s pockets.”
While Patrick was a drug dealer, Christine said her son would never stab anyone.
“My son had nothing to do with violence,” she said.
“He was not like that … I know for a fact that he would not get mad around Kyle. Kyle is a freak. Kyle freaks out. We all know Kyle.”
While an incredibly painful experience, she said she was pleased that her son finally had justice.
“I’m so happy,” Christine said. “I’m going to go talk with his ashes.”
Patrick’s father, Dean Remillard, said it was difficult to restrain himself at times during the trial.
“I have so many mixed emotions right now,” Remillard said.
“It’s been unbelievable that for the last month, I’ve had to sit five or six feet away from the guy that killed my son. I don’t know if you’re a father or not, but it’s unbearable.”
He’s hoping that his family can now “have a bit better of a life” knowing that Smith is behind bars.
“I just let justice take its course and it’s over now.”
The jury in the case began deliberations at 11 a.m. Thursday, returning around 5 p.m. to find Smith guilty of second-degree murder and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
A short time later, Smith, wearing a white sweater and light beige pants, was led away by three Sudbury police officers.
The conviction comes with an automatic 25-year sentence. The eight-man, four-women jury also provided individual sentencing recommendations, offering opinions on when Smith should be eligible for parole.
Jury recommendations
The recommendations ranged from the minimum of 10 to the maximum of 25 years, with most jurors recommending Smith serve at least 20 years.
Assistant Crown Kevin Ludgate told reporters that Smith had an exceptional defence team who did their best to represent him.
“We marshalled the evidence, as the Crown is expected to do, in a fair way,” Ludgate said.
“Ultimately, the Crown isn’t looking to win or lose. That’s not our role.”
Their job is to ensure the proper administration of justice, he said.
“And that happened in this matter, as far as I’m concerned.”
The parties will return to court April 1 at 10 a.m. to set a sentencing date.
Defence lawyer Mary Cremer requested a pre-sentence report and a Gladue report, which provides information about an Indigenous offender’s background and circumstances.
Patrick’s sister, Jessica, said she now has an angel tattoo in honour of her brother, with his name, birthday “and the day he passed.”
“I’m just happy it’s finally over,” she told reporters.
“It’s been a long time. These past few years haven’t been easy for anybody.”
