Colin Thatcher, the former Saskatchewan cabinet minister convicted of killing his ex-wife, was granted full parole on Thursday — but under conditions that include reporting any romantic relationships to authorities.
After getting the decision from a National Parole Board panel in Regina at about 12:40 p.m. CT, Thatcher said he would never do anything to make the board regret its decision.
His intention from now on is to live quietly as "a ranch hand" on the family's operation near Moose Jaw, Thatcher said.
"I have bought another horse. I love horses and livestock. I'm very happy and content and love the rural isolation," Thatcher said.
Thatcher, 68, had been serving a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder in 1984. JoAnn Wilson was beaten and shot in the head in the garage of her home in 1983, three years after the couple divorced and after an acrimonious custody battle over their three children.
Thatcher has always maintained his innocence. Since 1999, when the opportunity first arose, he has devoted considerable energy to winning early release from prison.
He won the right to apply for early parole in 2003 under the so-called faint-hope clause of the Criminal Code. However, the parole board had turned down his requests for full parole until Thursday.
Wilson's brother, Don Geiger, told CBC News from his home in Iowa he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.
Must get counselling
The panel granted his request, with several conditions. Thatcher will be required to take psychiatric counselling and must report any romantic relationships to the board.
In his comments to the panel, Thatcher said it was unlikely he would be involved in a relationship again.
"I have seen people come back [to prison] because of a conflict with a partner," he said. "I would be hesitant to give someone that kind of power over me."
His release plan calls for him to live on the ranch.
Granted day parole in May
The board granted him day parole in May.
Since then, Thatcher had been spending his nights at a halfway house in Regina and days at the family ranch.
He had also been seen, on occasion, working out at a local YMCA gym and attending Saskatchewan Roughrider games.
Thatcher's new life on full parole begins when the paperwork for his release has been completed — likely in a day or so, officials said.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- Wallin refuses to answer questions about repaying expenses
- Speaking as an independent Saskatchewan senator for the first time, Pamela Wallin is not answering any questions about whether or not she has repaid expense money. more »
- Gordon Barnhart critical of Senate expense claims he saw as clerk
- A former clerk of the Senate, Gordon Barnhart, gives a harsh assessment of how senators handled expense claims based on what he experienced. more »
- Winterhawks down Blades to clinch Memorial Cup semifinal berth
- The Portland Winterhawks scored three times in the third period Wednesday to defeat the Blades 4-2 in the final round-robin game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup in Saskatoon. more »
- End solitary confinement, says former female inmate
- A Saskatchewan woman who was held in solitary confinement in B.C. for a total of 3½ years has issued an emotional plea to end the practice in Canada's prisons. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Harper 'not consulted' about Duffy Senate expense repayment
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper says that not only did he not know about his chief of staff's "gift" to repay Senator Mike Duffy's expenses before the story broke in the media, he was not consulted and did not sign off on Nigel Wright's decision to write a personal cheque. more »
- 2 infants confirmed among dead of Oklahoma tornado
- Rescue workers raced to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of 10 children. more »
- 'You will see him again in heaven,' Sharlene Bosma tells daughter
- Sharlene Bosma told more than 1,000 people at the public memorial service for her slain husband, Tim Bosma, about the love they shared. more »
- Mayor Ford stays silent while his brother defends him
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford continues to stonewall the media over allegations that he was recorded on video smoking what appears to be crack cocaine, but his brother Coun. Doug Ford told reporters Wednesday that the story is untrue. more »
- Wallin refuses to answer questions about repaying expenses
- Gordon Barnhart critical of Senate expense claims he saw as clerk
- Delayed sentencing of chief frustrates some
- Fire destroys only bar in Lafleche, Sask.
- Regina OK's Albert Street nightclub
- Transgender bride files human rights complaint
- RCMP seek suspect accused of assault on teen
- End solitary confinement, says former female inmate
- Controversy swirls around chief who sexually assaulted teen
CBC PROUD SPONSOR OF SASKATCHEWAN MARATHON
CBC PROUDLY SPONSORS THE TIMERAISER
