WATCH: There is growing disappointment in the provinical government’s decision not to appeal a ruling granting Allan Schoenborn day outings in the community. Asa Rehman reports.
There will be no appeal of the British Columbia Review Board’s decision to grant convicted child killer Allan Schoenborn day passes into the community.
Last month, the Review Board ordered that Schoenborn be allowed escorted access into the community. He is currently being held at the Colony Farm Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.
The decision to grant Schoenborn day passes has caused much shock and anger in the community.
WATCH: Polarizing decision to grant Allan Schoenborn escorted days passes
Today, Schoenborn’s former wife, Darcie Clarke, said in a statement,
Two weeks ago Allan Schoenborn, the man who murdered my three children – Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon – was granted escorted visits into the Tri-Cities. This was an outcome my family and I had been dreading. Today, that dread has turned to anguish. Today Justice Minister Suzanne Anton refused to help correct an unjust decision and turned down our appeal of the B.C. Review Board’s ruling granting freedoms to a triple child killer.
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But the Criminal Justice Branch says that after a thorough review of the Board’s reasons, as well as the evidence that was before the Board for consideration, it has concluded there is no likelihood that it can meet the legal requirements for appellate intervention and an appeal will not be filed on behalf of the Crown.
WATCH: Family spokesperson reads a statement from Allan Schoenborn’s former wife, Darcie Clark.
B.C. Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton said in a statement that she knows the “decision is very difficult for Ms. Clarke, for her family and for the public to understand and accept.” Anton goes onto say what Ms. Clarke and her family have gone through should never happen to anyone. While the AG acknowledges the decision by the CJB she said she’d spoken to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay about the case and that they are committed “to looking at ways to ensure the safety and security of our citizens and our communities.”
In addition to speaking to MacKay, the CJB is currently assessing whether it can seek a “high-risk designation” through the court for Schoenborn.
In 2010, Schoenborn was found to be not criminally responsible for the murder of his three children. The judge ruled that at the time Schoenborn committed the offences he was suffering from a mental disorder.
Schoenborn will be subject to a number of conditions during his escorted community visits. He will not be allowed to acquire, possess or use any firearms, explosives or offensive weapons. He cannot use alcohol or drugs, except as provided by a doctor. Schoenborn is also not allowed to have any direct or indirect contact with Clarke, Val Clark, Stacy Galt, Mike Clark and Barb Phillips. He is required to keep the peace and maintain good behaviour and present himself before the Review Board when required.
Schoenborn has previously said he has no intention of trying to escape during his escorted community trips.
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