Marco Muzzo, the man convicted of killing three children and their grandfather while driving drunk in September 2015 was granted day parole on Tuesday.
The hearing took place at Beaver Creek Institution in the Town of Gravenhurst, where Muzzo was serving his 10-year sentence. He served just over four years prior to getting paroled.
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) said it denied full parole but granted day parole with conditions, that include but are not limited to “no contact with the victims and geographical restrictions.”
A full report will be released at a later date.
Muzzo had just flown back on a private plane from his bachelor party in Miami when he drove himself home in his SUV from Pearson International Airport.
He was speeding when he ran a stop sign, T-boning the minivan carrying the three Neville-Lake children, their grandfather, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Nine-year-old Daniel Neville-Lake, five-year-old Harrison, their two-year-old sister Milly and their 65-year-old grandfather, Gary Neville, were all killed.
READ MORE: Marco Muzzo lack of insight into binge drinking habits led to parole decision
The children’s mother, Jennifer Neville-Lake released a video of her victim impact statement.
“The car seats and safety gear we had installed in our brand new vehicle were not enough to protect my family from the wanton, selfish and disgusting actions of the offender,” Jennifer said.
“Marco Michael Muzzo killed my son, Daniel. Marco Michael Muzzo killed my son, Harry. Marco Michael Muzzo killed my daughter, Milly. Marco Michael Muzzo hurt my mom badly. Marco Michael Muzzo hurt my Lola badly. Marco Michael Muzzo killed my killed my dad.”
“He has served just over one year for each of the deaths that he caused,” she said. “It is just not fair that he can be released prior to serving all of the minimal sentence that he received for this destruction of my family
Muzzo pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm in 2016.
He previously applied for both day and full parole in November 2018 but was denied.
At that time, the parole board said the rejection was due to Muzzo’s lack of insight into his drinking habits and the risk they may pose to the public.
Unfortunately, Jennifer was unable to be physically at the hearing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Originally, she told Global News she was not going to be allowed to participate at all. However, on Wednesday, the PBC confirmed victims of crime would be able to call in for parole hearings in Canada.
The counsel for Muzzo released a statement Tuesday evening on his behalf.
“I want to apologize to the Neville-Lake, Neville and Frias families for the terrible pain I have caused them and their loved ones. I ruined their lives and I take full responsibility for what I have done. I always will.
“I was careless and irresponsible when I made the choice to drink and drive. There is no way that I can undo the damage that I have caused. I will live with this for the rest of my life.”