Debbie Hogarth was overwhelmed with stress and fear as she drove to Bowden Institution Wednesday for a parole hearing. The man who stabbed her son to death was asking for early release.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words,” she said as she walked to the prison door. “I’m preparing myself to be let down as I have been through this whole journey.”
In August 2012, Joshua Hogarth was stabbed to death, left to die in a flower bed just steps away from his home.
His childhood friend, Byron Blanchard, was charged with second-degree murder. A plea deal led to a conviction for the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Blanchard began serving a four-year, three-month sentence in July of 2014.
READ MORE: Calgary man sentenced in stabbing death of 18-year-old
Now, two years later, the National Parole Board has denied Blanchard’s bid for day parole. The board ruled his risk cannot be managed in the community.
“He was denied for a reason,” Hogarth said. “When I said earlier that I was terrified of him there’s the reason why.”
During the lengthy hearing, the board questioned Blanchard about the fatal stabbing.
He expressed remorse and told the board: “I’m sorry for what happened…This will be something that will affect me for the rest of my life.”
But during the hearing, board members questioned him about comments to his parole officer such as: “the victim was blowing things out of proportion.”
Blanchard maintained he was upset over news coverage. Still, it was found he lacks empathy.
“It’s not heartfelt. It’s not genuine,” Hogarth said.
“In my opinion he’s not remorseful. Obviously from what was said inside that room, he has not accepted accountability for what he’s done.”
Blanchard also put blame on Joshua Hogarth. Blanchard told the board he was worried for his own life when he stabbed the 18-year-old.
The board noted Blanchard has had numerous behavioural issues while in the federal institution and has broken several of the rules. The board expressed concern he wouldn’t follow conditions if released into the community.
“He will be out in a year regardless of his mandatory release,” Hogarth said. “But what happened here today has given me just that little bit of faith in the system that I had completely lost.”
Blanchard will be free next year. His statutory release date is May 3, 2017.
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