Charges against Amherstview man upgraded in legion death investigation

Kingston Police have now upgraded the charge against Anthony Whitlock, the man accused in the death of Patrick “Paddy” Millar.

Millar was located deceased by police on the night of Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) attended the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 631, located near the intersection of Bath Road and Collins Bay Road, at approximately 11:30 p.m. that day. Shortly thereafter, Kingston Police were also dispatched to the scene, which saw the Legion Branch 631 entirely contained by police tape. A vehicle was towed from the Legion Branch 631 parking lot around 2 a.m. the following morning, and Kingston Police then taped off and secured Amherstview Golf Club. Police confirmed their activity there was in relation to the homicide investigation, and then disclosed that a 58-year-old had been arrested in connection to the investigation.

By Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, Kingston Police had disclosed the identities of both the deceased man, Patrick Millar, 69, of Kingston, and the man accused in the case, Anthony Whitlock, 58, of Amherstview. Whitlock, police indicated, was charged with the second degree murder of Millar.

Initially, Kingston Police indicated they were investigating “an incident involving a deceased person in the area of Bath Road and Collins Bay Road in Kingston’s west end,” however, witnesses the night of the incident had reported that Millar was located deceased within the Legion location. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 631, often referred to as the Collins Bay Legion, confirmed those accounts.

Legion Branch 631 President Tom Briggs authored a social media post to address the “hyper-active” “rumour mill” surrounding the events, naming both Millar and Whitlock in the post and identifying Whitlock as Branch 631’s “newest bartender hire.”

“He was off duty at that time,” Briggs stated of Whitlock in the post, noting that the exact circumstances and manner of Millar’s “killing” were “still unknown.”

“Tony was arrested at the Amherstview Golf Club later that night, after fleeing the Branch. The first indication of the crime was when the OPP arrived at approximately 10:30 pm, and went directly to the basement,” Briggs continued.

“I am shocked and angered by this horrendous event. Shocked that it took place at all, and angered that it occurred in a place of honour. Our hearts go out to all of those family and friends devastated by this. The perpetrator of this crime has changed the lives of many by his senseless actions that day.”

The post went on to indicate that a representative from victim’s services through the RCL was available to anyone “struggling with this terrible event.”

“I can assure you that the Matthew J. Dawe Memorial Branch 631 is a safe environment for our staff and patrons. Security measures have been reviewed and steps will be implemented to this end,” Briggs concluded.

Legion Branch 631 reopened the following day.

Since then, Kingston Police have remained tight-lipped about the incident and the investigation, often noting that the investigation remained ongoing when asked for further details by Kingstonist. However, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, Const. Anthony Colangeli, Acting Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police, confirmed that the charge against Whitlock has now been upgraded.

According to Colangeli, Whitlock’s charge was upgraded to first degree murder on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. Colangeli would not say why the charges were upgraded.

According to the Criminal Code of Canada (CC), “Murder is [considered] first degree murder when it is planned or deliberate,” while second degree murder is any homicide which is not considered a first degree murder. This means that second degree murder would be the classification given to those murders that occur with intent, but without planning. Those murders that were committed without planning or intent to kill are considered manslaughter.

A second degree murder sentence carries a minimum sentence of life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 10 years, but can be as long as life in prison with no parole for 25 years. A first degree murder sentence carries an automatic life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.

Millar’s family has requested privacy as the investigation and subsequent trial of Whitlock continue and indicated that a celebration of life will occur at a later date.