Ont. woman convicted in ex-boyfriend’s deadly stabbing seeks house arrest conditional sentence

Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing to readers.

A Midland, Ont. woman who pleaded guilty to being an accessory after-the-fact to murder will likely not be spending any more time behind bars.

Mackenzie Harrod, 20, left the Barrie courthouse Monday afternoon following her sentencing hearing when Justice Michelle Fuerst was presented with a joint submission proposed by the Crown and defence for a year and a half of house arrest and curfew.

Harrod’s former boyfriend, 25-year-old Kyle Farrows, died following a stabbing inside his downtown Orillia apartment Dec. 14, 2023. Harrod admitted, earlier this year, to her role in his death. She had initially been charged with second-degree murder.

Harrod, who was 18 at the time, admitted to helping the man accused in Farrows’ death to escape.

The court heard in February, as part of an Agreed Statement of Facts, read in by the Crown Harrod and the man were staying at Farrows’ apartment when Harrod claimed Farrows put a knife to her throat and held her down on his bed. She said the man accused in Farrows’ death intervened and a fight ensued.

Harrod admitted to smashing a bong over Farrows’ head which may have knocked him out before he was stabbed in his neck and chest.

The court heard Harrod then cleaned blood in the apartment and they both fled. Harrod and the man accused of murder were arrested days later. Harrod said she was high on “crack” and marijuana the night Farrows died.

Harrod was granted bail four months later and has been under strict conditions that included wearing a GPS ankle monitor.

In court, Harrod heard from Farrows’ heartbroken and tortured family members who delivered victim impact statements to the court. His loved ones described the pain they have endured because of Harrod’s actions.

“These events should never have taken place,” said his brother.

As Harrod wept, Farrows’ mother told the court Harrod “took away a piece of our hearts” when she helped take his life that day.

The trial for the man accused in Farrows’ death will begin later this year.

Harrod is scheduled to be sentenced in May.