Close X
Sunday, October 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

Robert Latimer appeals parole board decision restricting international travel

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jan, 2015 03:55 PM

    The lawyer for Robert Latimer says his client is appealing a parole board decision that prevents him from travelling freely outside Canada.

    A Federal Court judge ruled in September that there was nothing to indicate the 60-year-old Saskatchewan farmer is a danger and should be prevented from travelling internationally.

    The judge ordered the Parole Board of Canada's appeal division to reconsider the case.

    But in November, the board said it wouldn't lift the restriction, ruling Latimer has yet to show that he is capable of reporting to authorities with complete transparency.

    Lawyer Jason Gratl said Monday his client is being deprived of reasonable parole conditions.

    "I'm deeply troubled by the pattern that's emerging of the Parole Board of Canada ignoring what judges have had to say about Mr. Latimer and the fact that he doesn't pose a risk to society," Gratl said.

    Latimer was given a life sentence for the 1993 second-degree murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Tracy, who had severe cerebral palsy. He put her in the cab of his truck on his family's farm near Wilkie, Sask., and piped exhaust inside.

    Latimer has always said he wanted to end his child's chronic, excruciating pain.

    He was released on full parole, with some conditions, in 2010.

    The board denied Latimer's request in 2013 to leave Canada without first applying for a limited-time passport. He appealed that ruling and it was upheld by the board's appeal division. He then took his case to the Federal Court in Vancouver.

    "(Judge Michael Manson) found there was no evidence sufficient to deprive Mr. Latimer of the right to travel internationally," Gratl said. "What has occurred, though, is on reconsideration, perhaps failing to take into account Mr. Justice Manson's reasons for judgment, the Parole Board of Canada has again refused to lift the international travel restriction for Mr. Latimer's terms of release."

    In its decision, the board said that although Latimer is a low risk to society, "a level of risk continues to be present."

    "It is concerning to the board ... that we read on file that there has been no change in your thinking and level of rationalization which led to the offence," the board wrote in November.

    "You continue to deny this was a murder and believe what you did was the right thing to do. This represents a level of risk."

    Gratl said the appeal was submitted Dec. 29 and it could take several weeks for a decision. He added that his client will continue to appeal the travel restriction if the latest attempt is unsuccessful.

    "I think we're approaching the point where it might be fair for a reasonable observer to conclude that the Parole Board of Canada has something of a vendetta against Mr. Latimer," Gratl said. "They continue to deprive him of reasonable conditions of parole on the basis of no evidence, or flimsy evidence."

    Gratl has said that if the travel restriction were lifted, Latimer would still inform his parole officer of travel plans and maintain contact by phone while abroad.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Avian Flu Spreads To First Non-commercial Backyard Coop In Langley

    Avian Flu Spreads To First Non-commercial Backyard Coop In Langley
    VANCOUVER — The avian flu outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of birds in British Columbia's Fraser Valley has struck its first backyard coop.

    Avian Flu Spreads To First Non-commercial Backyard Coop In Langley

    Canada's Q4 could be brighter than forecast, but clouds over 2015: economists

    Canada's Q4 could be brighter than forecast, but clouds over 2015: economists
    OTTAWA — Canada's gross domestic product rose by an unexpectedly strong 0.3 per cent in October, which led several economists to consider revising their estimates for the final quarter of 2014 — although they also warned that they're less bullish about 2015 due to a drop in commodity prices, especially for oil.

    Canada's Q4 could be brighter than forecast, but clouds over 2015: economists

    Manning sorry for not encouraging consultation before Wildrose defections

    Manning sorry for not encouraging consultation before Wildrose defections
    EDMONTON — The former leader of the Reform Party says he made a mistake when he encouraged members of Alberta's Wildrose to unite with the governing Progressive Conservatives.

    Manning sorry for not encouraging consultation before Wildrose defections

    Fear of falsification prevents release of some electronic data: minister

    Fear of falsification prevents release of some electronic data: minister
    OTTAWA — The Conservative cabinet minister responsible for freedom of information says some federal data cannot be released to the public in electronic format because people might alter it and spread falsehoods.

    Fear of falsification prevents release of some electronic data: minister

    Co-owners of seniors' home drop lawsuit against Quebec town over fatal blaze

    Co-owners of seniors' home drop lawsuit against Quebec town over fatal blaze
    L'ISLE-VERTE, Que. — The Quebec town of L'Isle-Verte says the co-owners of a seniors' home where 32 people died in a blaze last January have dropped a lawsuit against the municipality.

    Co-owners of seniors' home drop lawsuit against Quebec town over fatal blaze

    Canadian teacher jailed in Indonesia devastated over outcome of related trial

    Canadian teacher jailed in Indonesia devastated over outcome of related trial
    JAKARTA, Indonesia — A Canadian teacher accused of sexually abusing three students at an international school in Indonesia found it "devastating" that five janitors also accused in the case were sentenced to up to eight years in prison, his family said Monday.

    Canadian teacher jailed in Indonesia devastated over outcome of related trial