Parole denied for lawyer convicted of impaired driving in teen's 2018 death
An Edmonton lawyer serving a 3 1/2 year prison sentence after fatally hitting a teen while he was driving drunk has been denied parole.
Shane Stevenson was seeking both day and full parole after he was sentenced last October for dangerous driving causing death.
The parole board panel noted Stevenson had "made some gains" over the past months but denied his application.
"You do still have some outstanding risk factors," the board noted. "At this time, your risk is assessed as unmanageable."
Stevenson struck and killed Chloe Wiwchar, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, while he was driving his truck along Kingsway near Tower Road on April 15, 2018.
An off-duty police officer witnessed the collision, called 911 and followed Stevenson's truck to a nearby alley where he was later arrested.
He pleaded guilty in October 2020 when court heard that his blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was nearly double the legal limit.
Wiwchar's mother, Holly Lucier, presented a victim impact statement before the parole board calling for tougher impaired driving laws.
"Sentencing does not match the seriousness of the crime," she said. "I will never return to a place where I'll see my child's face or kiss her forehead."
According to the Parole Board of Canada, most offenders are eligible for full parole at whatever is less: one-third of their sentence or seven years.
Most offenders are eligible for day parole six months before the full parole eligibility date.
By law, offenders have a parole review within six months of their eligibility date.
Parole boards consider the nature of the offence as well as prior criminal history, behaviour in the institution, victim impact statements and community release plan in making their decisions.
Stevenson has two months to appeal Thursday's decision.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.