Hamilton man found guilty of murder in girlfriend’s death in 2005

A Hamilton man who strangled his girlfriend while high on cocaine has been found guilty of second-degree murder.

Court heard Hailemikael (Michael) Kassa used cocaine with Sonia Gaudet before strangling her when she refused to pay him for it.

A jury heard that after strangling Gaudet in Jan. 2005, Kassa set a fire to cover up the crime scene, but a lack of oxygen in the apartment left the fire to smoulder.

Defence lawyer Christopher Hicks said he will likely file an appeal on behalf of his 25-year-old client.

Kassa was handed a mandatory life sentence and will return to court in February to learn how many years he will serve before being eligible for parole.

Kassa has been in custody since April 2007.

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