A judge is expected to release a ruling today on when a Halifax man convicted in the violent death of a Montreal-born businesswoman will be able to apply for parole.
Nova Scotia Supreme Court Judge Joshua Arnold reserved his parole eligibility decision for Nicholas Butcher after a hearing in July.
Butcher was convicted of second-degree murder in April after a jury found he stabbed 32-year-old Kristin Johnston to death on March 26, 2016.
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The conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but a hearing was held to determine when Butcher could apply for parole.
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Nicholas Butcher in court for parole hearing -
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Nicholas Butcher jury begins deliberating -
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Closing arguments delivered at Nicholas Butcher’s murder trial -
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Jury in Nicholas Butcher trial hears 911 call -
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Murder victim’s friend faces cross-examination at Nicholas Butcher trial -
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Kristin Johnston’s best friend testifies at Nicholas Butcher murder trial -
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Nicholas Butcher murder trial opens in Halifax -
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Crown finishes opening arguments at Nicholas Butcher murder trial
Crown prosecutor Carla Ball argued he should not be allowed to apply for parole for 17 years, noting what she described as Butcher’s “forethought” for confrontation and that Johnston was his domestic partner.
But defence lawyer Peter Planetta said his client should be eligible for parole after 10 years, pointing to mitigating factors such as his clean record and prospects for rehabilitation.
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