(Above: Fletcher Kent reports from outside the Bowden Institution on the decision to grant Shawn Hennessey temporary unescorted absences from prison)
EDMONTON – One of two men convicted in the deaths of four Alberta RCMP officers has been granted temporary unescorted absences from prison by the National Parole Board.
Shawn Hennessey has been granted one 72-hour pass per month. However, the parole board put a number of conditions on the unescorted absences, including that he can only go to his home in Barrhead, and anyone who visits his while during his temporary leave has to be pre-approved.
“Wonderful. We’re all just thrilled,” said Criss Hennessey, Shawn’s aunt, following the hearing. “Really happy.”
The parole board, correctional services, and a psychologist who is working with Hennessey all made the assessment that he’s a low risk to re-offend. They also noted that Hennessey is not serving a life sentence, so – at some point – will have to reintegrate into regular life, so temporary unescorted absences would help with that transition.
“We welcome Shawn back home into our family, and it’s so nice that he’s… able to spend time with his wife, his children, and the rest of the entire faily, and the community as well,” said Sandy Hennessey, Shawn’s mother.
“There was, I think, over 300 letters that were written in his favour and the parole board did take that into consideration.”
Hennessey is one of the men convicted in the shooting of deaths of four Mounties.
Officers Peter Schiemann, Anthony Gordon, Brock Myrol and Leo Johnston were gunned-down by James Roszko at his farm near Mayerthorpe in March of 2005.
READ MORE: Mayerthorpe marks sombre anniversary
Hennessey and his brother-in-law Dennis Cheeseman were later convicted for their roles in the case. The pair gave Roszko a ride back to his property the night before the killings. They also provided him with a shotgun.
In January 2009, Hennessey and Cheeseman pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Cheeseman was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Hennessey was given 15 years in prison, but the term was later reduced to 10 years for time already served and his guilty plea.
Hennessey made an emotional plea to the board during Wednesday’s hearing at the Bowden Institution. His wife made a similar plea, telling the board her husband is a changed man, and temporary unescorted absences would be good for her and the couple’s children.
“She’s the most amazing woman,” said Hennessey’s mother, after the hearing. “If you heard what she had to say, that was extremely emotional… and I think she made some very good points.”
The hearing was also the first time Hennessey took full responsibility for his role in the killings, telling the board “this is all at my hands.”
“The actions on my part were very self-involved.”
“All I had to do was make a phone call. I chose not to make that phone call,” Hennessey told the board.
He admitted to the parole board that he could have made a call to alert officers to what Roszko was planning.
Hennessey said meeting with a psychologist in prison and reading self-help books has helped him.
Hennessey’s mother said hearing her son speak to the parole board was very difficult.
“But I found it was also extremely hard to listen to the victim impact,” Sandy added.
“Our hearts still go out to them.”
Cst. Anthony Gordon’s mother appeared at the hearing as well, making a plea to the board to not grant Hennessey the temporary unescorted absences.
Hennessey was turned down by the board when he made the same request two years ago. On Wednesday, he told the board he’s learned a lot since he made that previous application.
READ MORE: Shawn Hennessey denied parole
Cheeseman was released from prison last November.
Hennessey’s family said he’s still processing Wednesday’s decision.
“He is, I think, still maybe in a little bit of disbelief. It’s been a very long hard road for him,” said Sandy.
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