Days before he was set to stand trial, an Annapolis Valley senior has pleaded guilty to killing his wife in their Kingsport, N.S., home nearly four years ago.

Douglas Andrew Smith, 74, entered a guilty plea for manslaughter on Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Kentville in relation to the 2022 death of Iris Dodd, who was 72.

The plea was a surprising development in the case. Smith was scheduled to stand trial for second-degree murder next week.

Jury selection was scheduled to begin Tuesday, but Smith agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge after some negotiation between the Crown and defence last week.

Crown and defence attorneys both declined interview requests.

Admitted to killing during 911 call

Crown attorney Daniel Rideout read a summary of facts in the courtroom on Wednesday before Smith entered his plea.

Smith drove into the parking lot of the New Minas RCMP detachment on the morning of May 1, 2022, before calling 911, Rideout said.

Rideout said Smith told the 911 operator that his wife had died the previous day and “I’m responsible.”

During the call, Smith said he had smothered his wife. However, Rideout pointed out the medical examiner ruled there was not enough proof to suggest that did or did not happen and the cause of death was undetermined.

Rideout said RCMP officers used a key given to them by Smith to enter the home in Kingsport, which is roughly 20 minutes from Kentville.

He said officers found Dodd in a recliner chair with a blanket covering her from head to toe.

There was no sign of a struggle, according to the summary of facts.

Rideout said in court that a recent eviction from their home and Dodd’s declining health were factors in Smith’s decision to kill his wife.

Smith remains released on bail with conditions and is scheduled to be sentenced in Kentville in July.

MORE TOP STORIES