A Sarnia man accused of killing a man in Chatham has been released on $50,000 bail.
Kyle Samko, 28, had a bail hearing in Chatham Superior Court on Thursday, where the presiding judge said Samko's circumstances have changed since his incarceration two years ago.
The judge cited Samko's sobriety while he has been in custody after completing a substance abuse program and cited his self-defence argument in a previous trial held in March that resulted in a hung jury and a mistrial being declared.
The judge said he's encouraged by Samko's sobriety.
Samko pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Manuel (Manny) da Silva, 35, in June of 2021 outside a house on St. George Street near Park Avenue in Chatham. Da Silva suffered one fatal stab wound to the chest that punctured his heart.
Samko's bail conditions include wearing an ankle monitor while he's under house arrest at his parents house in Sarnia.
The house must also have cameras at the front, rear, and side and they must be linked to his parents' cell phones to allow them to monitor and supervise him while they are at work.
Samko has also been ordered to not communicate or have contact with several people in the drug culture, to not consume or possess drugs or alcohol, and must be accompanied by at least one parent at all times when he leaves the house, unless it's for an emergency.
Samko has a new trial in September 2023 and the judge told him not to mess it up.