Kenneth MacKay back behind bars after violating day parole

WARNING — This story contains graphic details.

The Parole Board of Canada has revoked the day parole of a man convicted of a Saskatoon murder.

Kenneth David MacKay, 49, is now back in prison as he serves his life sentence. He was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Crystal Paskemin in 2002.

MacKay met Paskemin in 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 once again and broke her jaw. He then drove over her body, set it on fire and dragged it behind his truck.

MacKay began his day parole in February with nine special conditions, including that he report all friendships and relationships with women to his parole supervisor.

His day parole was extended in August, and he had been living at a community residential facility on Vancouver Island.

According to a report from the parole board, MacKay was attending a community maintenance program for sex offenders and had completed five of the 12 sessions before was once again arrested in early September. His parole was suspended at that time.

Before his arrest, the board reported that Mackay had found and kept a job and was trying to work his way up in that company. He had reported one online relationship with a woman in the U.S., but had not had any physical contact with her.

On Sept. 1, police in Victoria contacted the National Monitoring Centre to let the parole board know MacKay had been arrested after a complaint was made about him by a female co-worker.

“You had been talking and texting daily with a co-worker and had also been to her residence and had given her rides to and from her home and work,” read the report.

The relationship went on for about two weeks until the woman blocked MacKay’s number on her phone, apparently after finding out about his criminal history and details of his crime in Saskatoon.

“Because you were unable to contact her on Sept. 1, you went to her workplace to speak with her. You offered her a ride to her next work assignment the following day and asked her about her weekend hours,” the report continued.

The woman texted MacKay later and told him she was unhappy that he’d shown up at her workplace and told him not to do that again. He texted her back to apologize and ask about her weekend plans.

The report stated the woman contacted police and told them MacKay had not reported their contact as he was required to do. Police recommended a charge of criminal harassment, but the Crown did not approve the charge.

“When your (MacKay’s) possessions were being packed from your room, staff found a box of condoms. This suggested that you were seeking and preparing for sexual intimacy,” the report noted.

When police went through MacKay’s phone, the board said officers found a photo of an unknown woman on a street, as well as photos and messages to and from three other women, none of whom he reported as contacts or relationships to his parole supervisor.

After his arrest, MacKay apparently told his parole officer he was only interested in his co-worker as a friend, but he also referred to her as an “option.”

The board also noted his female co-worker was Indigenous and that the panel assessing him was concerned by the parallels between his murder conviction and the circumstances of his day parole suspension.

The report also noted that he minimized his behaviour and was not transparent about the many contacts he had with women.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, a Saskatchewan First Nations organization, criticized the Parole Board of Canada in September for allowing more freedom to MacKay and called for the entire board to resign.

Tanya LaRose, Paskemin’s younger sister, also had strong words for the parole board, calling it “disgraceful” that MacKay was granted day parole in the first place.

“There had been many, many who noted that he was not rehabilitated, and they still continued with releasing him,” she said.

LaRose questioned the board’s decision-making process, suggesting that it puts women at risk.

“How many other dangerous criminals … are being released back into the public with less vocal family members behind them making efforts to warn the public?” she asked. “These brazen murderers are being released back into society.”

LaRose said her sister also advocated for women during her life, and helped female friends and co-workers whenever she could.

“This isn’t something I enjoy to do, speaking about my sister’s murderer or her murder, but it’s for the greater good,” she said. “It’s whistleblowing that is necessary.”

LaRose said her father recently passed away after a painful battle with cancer. She said she was grateful that before he passed away, she was able to tell him that MacKay was back behind bars.

“He could no longer speak at that point, but he gave two thumbs up,” she said.

LaRose said the board added insult to her family’s injury by granting MacKay parole to begin with.

“It makes it very difficult for the victim’s family to heal,” she said.