Woman convicted in gruesome murder requesting early release

A Calgary woman serving life in prison for second-degree murder is seeking early release under the so-called faint hope clause.

Fifteen years ago, Deborah Point was convicted in the gruesome killing of her roommate Audrey Trudeau.

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Trudeau disappeared in February 1999.

Five months later, the physiotherapist’s body was found in a southwest Calgary garage, dismembered and placed in cardboard boxes.

Point was arrested two days later.

She was charged, convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years.

She is now 54 years old and wants out of prison early.

“She is entitled to a judicial review after the expiration of 15 years of her sentence which is right about now,” said Alain Hepner, Point’s defence lawyer.

Hepner has been Point’s defence from the beginning of the case. He has now filed an application to have her parole ineligibility reviewed.

“There’s a hearing to determine her rehabilitation. In the last 15 years the hearing has to be before a jury sitting with a Queen’s Bench Justice and the jury will make that recommendation,” added Hepner.

Point’s goal is to get out of jail as soon as possible.

The jury’s recommendations will be looked at by the National Parole Board, which will have the final say.

Hepner suggested she has family and community support for her ongoing rehabilitation. He said she deserves some leniency in light of her good conduct in prison.

“In terms of an institutional setting, she has done well. She’s cooperative [and] the case workers are supportive.”

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Point has maintained her innocence in the murder. The motive is believed to be sex or money.

The hearing isn’t to re-try the case, but rather to find out if she should stay in jail for her full sentence.