An 86-year-old Chilliwack man who killed his two neighbours has been sentenced to life in prison.
Robert Freeman shot John Kavaloff and Valerie Smith on Sept. 13, 2023, at their home in the Chilliwack River Valley.
On May 15, Freeman was sentenced in the Supreme Court, with no eligibility for parole for 10 years.
Earlier in the month, on May 4, Freeman had unexpectedly pleaded guilty to committing the second-degree murder of 58-year-old Kavaloff and guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter of Smith, 67. This was to be the first day of his jury trial.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard evidence describing the day of the deaths. After killing the couple in their driveway, Freeman waited for the RCMP to arrive. He later told police that something “snapped” that day. The couple had a friend at their home with a motorcycle, and were in the driveway. The noise upset Freeman, and he went over, armed with a loaded gun.
However, the court also heard that Freeman claimed he didn’t mean to kill them, and expressed continued shock that Smith died from her wounds.
On May 15, two and a half years after the incident, Freeman’s counsel read an apology to the family and friends.
“Every day of my life is now miserable, but I recognize that this is nothing compared to what I have caused so many others to suffer and the terrible loss of two good people’s lives,” the statement read in part.
Seven victim impact statements were read in a Chilliwack courtroom on May 11.
Joy Finnegan is the daughter-in-law of Kavaloff and Smith. Her victim impact statement told the story of how important the couple was to the family, including daily meals, phone calls, support and plans for the future together.
“We are exhausted,” she told The Progress on Friday evening, and she is concerned about his chances of parole or appeals.
Freeman has health concerns in addition to his advancing age. He had been on bail from the time of the murders until he pleaded guilty in court on May 4.
His counsel had asked Justice Andrea Ormiston to consider these factors in sentencing, while Crown prosecutors asked to take into account the impact on the family and the use of firearms.