“Man pleads guilty to attempting to murder teenage ex with sword”

A man in Cobalt, northern Ontario, has admitted guilt to attempting to murder his 16-year-old former girlfriend with a sword two years ago. Phillipe Rivard Gagnon, 20, made the plea at the Haileybury courthouse. The incident occurred on Nov. 3, 2024, when the victim, Kaylie Smith, was struck by an SUV driven by Gagnon after getting off a transit bus in Cobalt. Ontario Provincial Police reported that Gagnon then proceeded to attack her with the sword. Media reports from the victim’s family revealed that Kaylie suffered severe injuries to her hands. Gagnon, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was arrested and faced charges of attempted murder and weapon possession. He has been in custody since the incident, attending court hearings in Haileybury after being transferred from a jail in North Bay. During his recent court appearance, Gagnon pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge, while the weapons charge remains pending. A sentencing date is yet to be set, but the case is scheduled to return to Haileybury court on Sept. 16. Family members have described Kaylie Smith as resilient and strong. If you are experiencing domestic violence, seek help from crisis lines and local support services.