Dennis Cheeseman eligible for day parole

CALGARY – One of two men convicted in the killings of four Mounties near Mayerthorpe in 2005 could soon be out on day parole.

Dennis Cheeseman and his brother-in-law Shawn Hennessey pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter for their roles in the shooting deaths of Constables Brock Myrol, Peter Schiemann, Leo Johnston and Anthony Gordon.

The pair admitted to assisting James Roszko by giving him a rifle and a ride back to his farm just hours before Roszko ambushed the officers. The officers had gone to Roszko’s property to investigate a suspected marijuana grow-op.

“These two men came forward and pled guilty. There is no scapegoat aspect to this whatsoever,” said Corporal Wayne Oakes, RCMP.

Cheeseman and Hennessey were convicted in January of 2009. Hennessey received a 15-year sentence while Cheeseman was given 12-years. Both received credit for time already served in custody; for Cheeseman, it reduced his sentence to seven years and two months in prison.

“We’re satisfied justice was done in this particular case and it was a long and difficult process,” said Orest Yerenkiuk, Crown Prosecutor in the case.

The parole board will now consider Dennis Cheeseman’s application on Wednesday at the Drumheller Penitentiary.

Criminologist Doug King says under federal legislation, Cheeseman must satisfy certain criteria to the board’s satisfaction.

“Includes things like the individual’s history, level of remorse, what was his behaviour in the prison environment and steps taken to rehabilitation,” says King.

“So those are the things that will be first and foremost on the parole board’s mind.”

A full-parole review will also be conducted at the hearing.

The earliest Cheeseman can be released on full parole is June 26th of this year. At that point he would serve the rest of his sentence in the community.