Reita Jordan’s killer must serve 15 years before applying for parole

“Senseless, cruel and cowardly,” that is how Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice James Chipman described the death of Reita Jordan before officially sentencing her killer.

Paul Trevor Calnen was convicted of second-degree murder in Jordan’s death in Nov. 2015. The murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, however the trial judge determines parole eligibility.

In rendering his decision, Justice Chipman described Reita Jordan’s death as a “horrific crime that shocked the community.” He ruled Calnen, 52, must serve 15 years behind bars before he is eligible to apply for parole.

Calnen was given the opportunity to speak in court before sentencing, but declined.

“The bottom line is he’s sentenced to life. That’s what the sentence is,” said Rick Woodburn, Crown attorney. “He can only apply for parole at 15 years.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The bottom line is he's sentenced to life. That's what the sentence is," said Rick Woodburn, Crown attorney. "He can only apply for parole at 15 years."

Additional sentence

Justice Chipman also sided with the Crown and sentenced Calnen to five years for indecently interfering with Jordan’s remains by burning them. That sentence will run concurrently with his life sentence for murder.

“A sentence can range depending on the offender and the offence,” said Rick Woodburn, Crown Attorney.

“In this particular case, the offence was so bad and so horrific, that he decided to give the max sentence which was five years.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "In this particular case, the offence was so bad and so horrific, that he decided to give the max sentence which was five years."

A dozen of Reita Jordan’s family and friends were in court to hear the sentence. Her mother said she was pleased with Justice Chipman’s ruling, but no sentence would bring her daughter back.

“Doesn’t change the sadness,” said Donna Jordan, Reita Jordan’s mother. “There’s a lot of broken hearts in there today.”

“No one’s ever gonna heal,” added Reita’s father, Warren Jordan. “We’ll think about her everyday.”

Peter Planetta, Calnen’s defence lawyer, confirmed they will be appealing the murder conviction, but was unsure yet if they would also try and appeal the parole eligibility ruling.

“There’s 30 days from today basically, to file the appeal,” said Planetta. “So it will definitely be filed before the 30 days are up.”