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(WARNING: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers)
After six months of day parole, a man convicted in the brutal murder of a Saskatoon woman will serve out the rest of the year in his community.
Documents from the Parole Board of Canada state that Kenneth David MacKay has been granted another six months of day parole. He was originally released into the community in January of this year.
MacKay is still considered a high risk to violently reoffend.
He was convicted of murdering 21-year-old Crystal Lee Paskemin after meeting her at a Saskatoon bar in December of 2000. He offered to drive the young woman home, but instead violently sexually assaulted Paskemin in his truck.
She briefly escaped before MacKay attacked her and broke her jaw, then drove over her body, set it on fire and dragged it behind his truck.
Initially, MacKay claimed he accidentally drove over Paskemin when she stumbled in front of his truck. In recent years, parole board documents state MacKay has taken admitted responsibility for Paskemin’s murder and to sexually assaulting her.
MacKay’s release from incarceration came 23 years after Paskemin’s death. Typically, a life sentence for an offender like MacKay renders them ineligible for parole for at least 25 years.
Documents from the parole board state that the serious nature of MacKay’s offence was taken into consideration at the time he was granted day parole, as was the impact on the victim’s family.
However, the documents also note the parole board determined a concerted effort had been made on MacKay’s part to address his risk and risk factors, progress towards earning a minimum-security rating, a high level of motivation, taking accountability for his actions, a commitment to sobriety and a lack of violence since the offence.
The man has been living at a community residential facility on Vancouver Island, where he is now expected to continue living for the rest of the year. He must return to the facility daily between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and does not have permission to stay out at night.
In July, the parole board reviewed MacKay’s day parole allowances and found his behaviour has been “appropriate since release,” parole board documents state.
“You have not demonstrated any concerns with regard to your community adjustment, have attended all supervised meetings, have maintained your sobriety as confirmed through urinalysis testing, are cognizant of your special conditions, have secured employment and are transparent with your case management team,” the documents added.
The documents state MacKay is described as being “very respectful” and having complied with house rules and regulations where he is staying.
MacKay has a reportedly strong relationship with his sister and brother-in-law, which has helped with his reintegration, and is willing to complete programming to help with his rehabilitation.
MacKay’s other previous conditions have not been lifted. He must continue to follow the treatment plan and counselling arranged for him by his parole supervisor; is not allowed to buy, consume or possess alcohol or be in places where alcohol is primarily sold or gambling happens; and is not to have any contact with the victim’s family or travel to the province of Saskatchewan.
He must also provide financial information, as well as report all friendships and relationships with females, to his parole supervisor.
