Kevin Koehler sentenced to three months in prison for breaching court order

A Kitchener man is headed back behind bars after violating a court order just hours after his release from prison. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains.

Kevin Koehler will spend more time behind bars after he was caught purchasing alcohol when he wasn’t supposed to, hours after his release.

On Oct. 16, the 61-year-old Kitchener, Ont. man completed his sentence for manslaughter in the 2013 choking death of his roommate Mary Anne May.

At that time, both the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Offender Management Unit and the Crown Attorney requested a peace bond with additional conditions for Koehler due to his violent past, which included convictions for criminal negligence causing death, assault, assault with a weapon and assault on police.

Koehler agreed to several conditions imposed for an 18-month period. One of those conditions included abstaining from buying or consuming any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance, unless prescribed by a physician.

Court heard less than five-and-a-half hours after the conditions were imposed, Koehler went to an LCBO store on Victoria Street in Kitchener and purchased a one litre bottle of fortified wine.

Koehler pleaded guilty to a breach of recognizance on Dec. 5.

On Tuesday, Justice Dominique Kennedy sentenced Koehler to six months, less time already served, resulting in approximately three months of prison time remaining.

The Crown had also requested the court impose a probation order following Koehler’s next release, that would see similar conditions to those of the peace bond. It would have also required Koehler to attend counselling services for alcohol and substance abuse issues.

“The Crown’s position, ultimately, is that probation can afford an opportunity to connect, in particular with various services within the community,” said Crown lawyer Alanna Fedak-Tarnopolsky in her submissions.

In court, Koehler denied having a drinking problem and said he drinks so he can “relax and talk to people.”

When asked whether he wants probation, he said, “You know I’m gonna drink if I want a drink,” adding, “I’m 61-years-old. Am I ever going to have a life where I can actually be Kevin without string stuck to my shoulders?”

In her decision, Kennedy acknowledged Koehler’s refusal to seek help through a probation order, but emphasized the peace bond conditions will remain in place.

“It is clear that Mr. Koehler does not wish to engage with probation services to assist him in reintegrating,” she said. “He can himself seek out rehabilitative supports, or he can find himself back in court for breaches of the ongoing order.”

“The six-month sentence is sufficiently punitive to achieve general deterrence, thereby contributing to the protection of the public,” she added.

Koehler is currently being held at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., where he’ll remain until March.

With files from CTV’s Krista Simpson