PRINCE GEORGE — The Parole Board of Canada has given a federal parolee permission to move to Vancouver Island.
Patrick Kelly, a former Mountie who was convicted of the first-degree murder of his wife, must remain on day parole and live in a halfway house, according to a board decision issued May 5 and made public this week.
The name of the community where Kelly will live was not provided.
The former undercover officer was convicted in 1983 of first-degree murder for causing his wife to fall off the 17th-floor balcony of their Toronto apartment.
Kelly has maintained his innocence in the March 1981 incident.
At the time, Kelly was involved in extra-marital affairs and was having financial difficulties from living an extravagant lifestyle, according to the parole board decision.
The parole board said Kelly now has a girlfriend and wants to follow her to the Island.
The 66-year-old had been operating an antiques store in Prince George.
This week, the business appeared closed, although there was still furniture inside the store. A sign posted on the door said Kelly is now “in and out” of the city.
Kelly opened the store in 2010 after he was granted full parole.
His release was reversed in November 2012, after he failed to report two relationships with women.
He returned to Prince George and reopened the store after he was granted day parole in June 2014. While on day parole, offenders must return each night to an institution or halfway house, unless otherwise authorized by the parole board.
Kelly has remained on day parole since, with overnight leave privileges granted in November 2014.
In its report, the parole board raised concerns about Kelly’s behaviour.
A review of his cellphone records revealed a number of texts from potential customers indicating that the transaction would be “local and cash only.” That’s a concern — under the conditions of his release, Kelly must provide financial documentation to his parole supervisor and it appeared he may be trying to hide some of them by doing cash-only deals.
The board also noted a lack of credibility in his explanation for a November 2015 attempt to initiate a relationship with a female customer and an “arrogant description” of the Correctional Service of Canada as a “ship of fools.”
The board suggested Kelly give its concerns reflection if he wished to remain in the community.
“You are a convicted murderer with a problematic release history, so it would be wise, in the Board’s view, for you to rein in your arrogance and guard against returning to your old pattern of thinking,” the board said in its report.
Day and full parole
Day parole
• Prepares an offender for release on full parole or statutory release by allowing the offender to participate in community-based activities.
• Offenders on day parole must return nightly to an institution or a halfway house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada.
Full parole
• Offender serves the remainder of the sentence under supervision in the community.
• An offender must report to a parole supervisor on a regular basis and must advise on any changes in employment or personal circumstances.
Source: Parole Board of Canada
