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

    B.C. Reports Call For Crime-fighting Boss, Job Training For Inmates

    B.C. Reports Call For Crime-fighting Boss, Job Training For Inmates
    VICTORIA — British Columbia needs to appoint a crime-fighting boss who can cut through provincial, municipal and social bureaucracies to build unified crime-prevention teams, say government reports released Thursday.

    B.C. Reports Call For Crime-fighting Boss, Job Training For Inmates

    B.C. Mine Inspector Gives Ok For Mount Polley Dam Rebuild After Tailings Breach

    B.C. Mine Inspector Gives Ok For Mount Polley Dam Rebuild After Tailings Breach
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's chief inspector of mines is allowing the owner of the Mount Polley mine to start repairs on the tailings pond that breached, sending a surge of mine waste and water into nearby lakes and rivers.

    B.C. Mine Inspector Gives Ok For Mount Polley Dam Rebuild After Tailings Breach

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015
    QUEBEC — Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz is again ruling out running for the federal Liberals in next year's election.

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted
    HALIFAX — The Mounties have charged a 30-year-old South African woman with assault after an international flight was diverted to Halifax on Wednesday.

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees
    OTTAWA — An organization that was formally branded a terrorist organization last spring has been denied permission by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney to raise money to fight the move.

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010
    OTTAWA — The average cost of a litre of gasoline in Canada has dropped below $1 for the first time in nearly four and a half years, according to price monitoring website GasBuddy.com.

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010