*EDITOR’S NOTE: This article initially stated Hollett spent the last 10 years training students at Emergent Martial Arts studio in Calgary. While he has been training students for the last 10 years, he only recently began coaching out of the studio.
A convicted killer who has been training students at a Calgary martial arts studio was arrested last week and remains in custody while he awaits a hearing before Corrections Canada.
Corrections Canada confirmed that Clinton Joe Hollet, also known as CJ Hollett, was arrested by Calgary police on a Canada-wide warrant on Jan. 20.
Hollett works as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at Emergent Martial Arts studio in northeast Calgary.
His boss called him a gentle man in a gentle sport and believes his arrest may be a misunderstanding.
Hollett’s parole conditions state that he is:
“…not to participate in or attend professional or amateur boxing or fighting events… not to participate in a combative role (fighter) in a professional or amateur boxing or fighting event.”
Corrections Canada would not clarify if his coaching activity is a violation of his parole conditions.
“Of course they think it’s fighting because it’s martial arts,” said Daniel Miller, owner of Emergent Martial Arts on Wednesday.
“Jiu-jitsu – scary words right? Until you understand it’s exactly what it is — it’s the opposite of fighting in every way. It’s about solving the violent scenario without the use of violence.”
In 1998, when Hollett was 17, he was found guilty of second-degree murder in a brutal beating in Halifax. Hollett was granted parole in 2006.
Part of his parole conditions state that he cannot participate in any boxing events or attend any fights.
Earlier this month, Hollett told Global News that since his release in 2006, he has spent his time trying to reach out to people to ensure they don’t make the same mistakes he did.
READ MORE: Convicted killer finds acceptance in Calgary’s Jiu-Jitsu community
“I quickly learned that there’s an easier way through these physical problems. That thought process quickly translated to my real life,” he said in the Jan. 7 interview.
At the time, the manager of Emergent Martial Arts spoke highly of Hollett, adding that the facility has been forthcoming with students about his past.
“We understand that it may seem like something that would scare people away,” April Houson said. “But he doesn’t hide his story. He uses it as a tool to reach people. He believes in what he’s doing because it helps people (to learn from his mistakes).”
When interviewed earlier in January, Hollet told Global News he was appreciative of the second chance he had been given.
“I just keep doing good,” Hollett said. “I keep my head out of trouble — this is a case where the system worked.”
The date of the hearing is not known.
With files from Jenna Freeman
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