B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter
Robert Freeman admitted killing two neighbours, and Crown counsel sought time for victim impact statements before sentencing.
- On Monday, Robert Freeman, 85, pleaded guilty in Chilliwack to second-degree murder of John Kavaloff and manslaughter of Valerie Smith, ending a jury trial expected to begin that morning.
- The killings occurred Sept. 13, 2023, at Baker Trails on Chilliwack Lake Road; Integrated Homicide Investigation Team investigations revealed the incident stemmed from a grudge over the couple's two-pound Yorkie.
- Travis Finnigan, son of Smith, stated in 2024 that 'their absence leaves an unfillable void in the lives of their family, friends, and grandchildren,' describing his parents as 'completely innocent, loving people.'
- Justice Andrea Ormiston scheduled sentencing for May 11 at 10 a.m., while the Crown requested time to gather victim impact statements by Friday to include family input.
- When Justice Ormiston asked if the plea was voluntary, Freeman confirmed he faced no pressure, stating the decision was of his 'free will' before being remanded into custody.
11 Articles
11 Articles
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter - Creston Valley Advance
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter - Grand Forks Gazette
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter - Northern Sentinel
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
Terrace Standard
B.C. man, 85, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter
A Chilliwack man is now awaiting sentencing for killing his two neighbours on Sept. 13, 2023. Robert Freeman, 85, has pleaded guilty to committing the second degree murder of 58-year-old John Kavaloff, and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Valerie Smith, 67. Freeman killed the couple at Baker Trails, a trailer park on Chilliwack Lake Road. His guilty plea came as a surprise in a Chilliwack courtroom Monday morning (May 4), where a jur…
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