A fisherman sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in what became known as Cape Breton’s “murder-for-lobster” case has been granted full parole after serving three years behind bars.
The Parole Board of Canada issued a statement Wednesday saying no concerns were raised when 71-year-old Joseph James Landry of Little Anse, N.S., was released on day parole back in June.
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The board said Landry spent time with his family, kept busy around his house and took part in mackerel fishing.
Landry was convicted of manslaughter and later sentenced in January 2015 in the death of 43-year-old Phillip Boudreau, whose damaged, overturned boat was found shortly after he disappeared off the southern tip of Cape Breton on June 1, 2013.
During Landry’s trial, the Crown said Boudreau’s death was the result of a sustained attack by a three-man lobster fishing crew, and that Landry believed Boudreau had been cutting his traps.
Court heard Landry used a rifle to fire four shots at Boudreau, one of which hit him in the leg.
At one point, Landry ordered one of his co-accused to ram Boudreau’s boat three times, which forced Boudreau into the water at the mouth of Petit-de-Grat harbour.
READ MORE: Fisherman convicted in Cape Breton ‘murder for lobster’ case granted day parole
Landry then used a gaff to hook Boudreau and drag him out to sea. His body was never found.
Landry was originally charged with second-degree murder, but a jury convicted him on the lesser charge in November 2014.
Accounting for time served while awaiting trial, Landry’s sentence was reduced to 11 years and six months.
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