Sask. family outraged after convicted murderer granted day parole

A Saskatchewan family is outraged after the Parole Board of Canada approved day parole for a convicted killer.

Kenneth David Mackay was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2000 killing of Crystal Paskemin. The 21-year-old was brutally murdered on the outskirts of Saskatoon after being offered a ride home from a bar by Mackay.

Members of Paskemin’s family said they were devastated by the decision, which granted Mackay day parole for six months at a community residential facility on Vancouver Island.

The decision was made despite the family’s opposition and comments from a psychologist who considered Mackay a “high-risk to reoffend,” Paskemin’s younger sister Tanya LaRose said in an email to CKOM.

“We know this man is still a threat to all women, regardless of what province he lives in,” a statement from the family read.

“We pray that no family must go through the Hell on Earth that we have had to navigate, through the darkest depths of evil, at the hands of this murderer.”

At Mackay’s trial more than two decades ago, the court heard he drove Paskemin to an isolated area where he attacked her, ran her over with his truck, and used a chain to drag her remains into a ditch.

Mackay was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations said the parole decision sends the wrong message about violence against Indigenous women and girls.

“Once again, the justice system of Canada has failed another Indigenous family who lost a loved one who suffered a horrific death,” FSIN vice-chief Heather Bear said.

“There needs to be more measures to ensure our voices are heard by the parole system and longer sentences for those who perpetrate violence against Indigenous women and girls. Sentences don’t seem to be a deterrent. The lack of compassion and rehabilitation in this crime shows the perpetrator deserves the maximum time behind bars.”

Paskemin is survived by her four younger sisters, who described her as a loving, kind young woman.

— With files from The Canadian Press