Michael White, convicted of killing pregnant wife, gets full parole
An Edmonton man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and dumping her body in a ditch has been granted full parole.
The Parole Board of Canada granted Michael White full parole in late May.
"Given your assessed low risk, employment stability and your demonstrated abilities to live a law-abiding lifestyle the board does not find that your risk would be undue on an expanded form of conditional release," the board said in a written decision.
"Therefore, full parole is granted."
White was convicted in 2006 of second-degree murder and offering an indignity to a dead body in the death of his wife.
Liana White was four months pregnant with the couple's second child when she was fatally stabbed in July 2005. Her body was found in a ditch a few days later by a search party that included her husband.
The parole board noted that Michael White had disposed of his wife's body and "cleaned up" evidence from his crime. A judge described White's offence as "the most reprehensible and extreme form of domestic violence," the board wrote.
White was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 17 years. His appeal of his convictions was rejected by Alberta's highest court.
The parole board noted that White continues to maintain his innocence.
"Your stance of innocence has prevented you from possible insight," it wrote, adding that White's case management team felt he demonstrated a "good deal of accountability and victim empathy," as best as he could.
Conditions of White's full parole include that he have no contact with Liana White's family unless they request it and that he report any changes in his current relationship with his fiancée and any new relationships with women.
Michael White was granted day parole from Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst, Ont., in February 2021, which was extended several times.
He has been taking extended weekend passes at a condo with his fiancee, "with no concerns noted" and started a new job in January that allows him to work on a variety of heavy equipment, the parole board said.
White plans to remarry and to travel, the board said.
"Your fiancée is considered a positive collateral contact and aware of your offending and release conditions," it wrote. "You maintain support in the community from some friends and family."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.