A Parole Board of Canada panel has granted day parole to a Nadleh man serving an 11-year sentence for the manslaughter death of his common-law spouse, but only so he can attend an addictions treatment program.
Under the terms the panel issued in a July 9 decision, Garrett Steven George, 30, must return to a halfway house in the community where the program is being delivered each night.
George was sentenced in November 16, 2016 for death of Destiny Rae Tom, 21. The badly-beaten body of the mother of a then three-year-old girl was found outside a home on the Nadleh reserve during the early morning of March 13, 2013.
George had been kicked out of a party at a friend's house but kept coming back and demanded Tom leave with him. She finally relented and left reluctantly, the court was told during a sentencing hearing.
George initially denied responsibility and later tried to pin the death on the two people who found Tom's body. But he eventually pleaded guilty to a count of manslaughter.
A history of abuse of Tom at George's hands was a theme during the sentencing hearing.
In reaching their decision, panel members found George to be "highly overconfident" and made note of poor behaviour including an outburst a week before the hearing when he became angry over the type of food he was being served.
"You did not display a deep knowledge of your risk factors or strategies to reduce them in the community," panel members said in the decision. "You have demonstrated angry and defensive behaviours very recently and do not appear to understand the responsibility you own for these issues. You appear to deflect responsibility on others and the system."
George's bid for full parole was denied as was a request to be transferred to a work camp upon completing the work program.
"Rather, the Board finds that you ought to take the time to demonstrate change, better anger management and communication skills, and gain insight in the treatment portion of your plan," panel members said. "You will return to the institution following that program and prior to any future decisions being made in your case."
Less credit for time served prior to sentencing, George had a further eight years and four months left to serve upon sentencing in 2016. His sentence ends in late March 2025.
The full decision is posted with this story at www.princegeorgecitizen.com.
