A 79-year-old 海角社区官网man who drove his vehicle 鈥渄eliberately and repeatedly鈥 over his late common-law wife鈥檚 niece, killing her out front of a lowrise North York apartment complex, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Ciro Garofano, now 81, also pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault, admitting he also struck victim Karen Montague鈥檚 husband, Wayne Montague, as well as 88-year-old Joyce Collins, the sister of Garofano鈥檚 common-law wife Elsie Gilchrist.聽
While a court security officer pushed Garofano into court Friday in a wheelchair, he walked unassisted from the prisoner鈥檚 box to the counsel table in order to use the microphone during his 鈥減lea inquiry.鈥 That process involves the judge ensuring a defendant appreciates that a guilty plea means he or she is giving up rights to a trial. Garofano responded without hesitation to all of Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly鈥檚 questions in a loud, firm voice.
Crown attorney Megan Petrie read an agreed statement of facts in court.
Karen Montague is a large part of the reason Melanie Dunne is a teacher today.
On Nov. 15, 2023, when Garofano was 79, he arranged for the Montagues to come to his apartment at 250 Cassandra Blvd., near Ellesmere Road and Victoria Park Avenue, to clear out Gilchrist鈥檚 belongings. She and Garofano had lived at the apartment together since the 1970s; she died that summer in a nursing home.
Prior to her death in July 2023, Gilchrist had given power of attorney over her finances to Karen Montague, who was 61. She also named her as a beneficiary in her will, while Garofano was not.
That day, Garofano also asked that Collins come to the unit, which was unusual since he and late partner鈥檚 sister didn鈥檛 get along. Collins and her daughter joined the Montagues to clear out Gilchrist鈥檚 belongings while Garofano waited in his car, parked outside in the visitors鈥 parking lot.
Officers investigate the scene outside the apartment building at 250 Cassandra Blvd.
Steve Russell 海角社区官网StarWhen they finished, Karen Montague and Collins spoke to Garofano in his vehicle, then, as they walked back toward the others, Garofano drove at them, striking them both. Collins was knocked down near a curb; Karen Montague remained face down in the middle of the roundabout.
Collins鈥 daughter screamed and picked up her mother 鈥 whose leg was severely injured 鈥 and moved her out of harm鈥檚 way onto the curb. After striking the two women, Garofano then drove toward Wayne Montague, as Collins and her daughter ducked for cover.
Garofano鈥檚 vehicle mounted a curb and hit Montague, but was blocked from hitting Collins a second time. He then reversed and proceeded twice around the roundabout, driving over Karen Montague two more times before he put the vehicle in park and waited for police. Officers arrested him at the scene, and he was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Karen Montague died shortly after her arrival at the hospital. Her husband suffered minor head and lacerations to his face and legs. Collins鈥 right femur was broken.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for late June. While a life sentence is automatic with a second-degree murder conviction, the judge must still determine how long Garofano must wait before he can apply for parole. The Crown is suggesting he wait 20 to 25 years before being able to apply; the defence says 16 years would be appropriate.
Garofano will have no guarantee of parole upon his first eligibility date.
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