VANCOUVER — Getting involved in making decisions for “significantly” disabled people would elevate Robert Latimer’s risk to re-offend, the National Parole Board said as it agreed to give full parole to the man convicted of murdering his severely disabled daughter.
The Saskatchewan farmer, who killed his daughter Tracy in 1993, was granted full parole last week following a prison term and nearly three years on day parole. He’ll be permitted to walk away from the halfway house and apartment in Victoria where he’s been living on Monday.
When he does, the man must abide by two special conditions, the board said in a document detailing its decision that was released on Wednesday.
It says the 57-year-old must not have responsibility for, or make decisions for, any individuals who have a significant disability, and he must continue to participate in one-to-one psychological counselling.
“These conditions are reasonable and necessary for the protection of society and your re-integration as a law abiding citizen.”
Latimer was convicted of second-degree murder in 1994. Tracy died of carbon monoxide poisoning after he put her in a truck and threaded a hose inside at his farm near Wilkie, Sask.
He then placed the child in her bed so it would appear she died in her sleep.
Latimer later admitted to the deed, maintaining he wanted to end her suffering from the chronic, excruciating pain of cerebral palsy. Doctors concluded she would need yet another surgery that would result in her being fed through a tube.
In its decision, the board states the man currently poses a low risk of re-offending in general, or violently. But it notes an opinion of a psychologist in a March 2007 report on which it based the conditions.
“If you were to be in a position where you were responsible for a severely disabled person, particularly a son or daughter, your risk for acting out would increase significantly,” it said.
During his time on day parole, there were no concerns generated when Latimer was given the privilege five times to leave the halfway house to visit his family, the decision says. He was also allowed to spend two days a week in his own apartment, starting in September, owing to “positive community behaviour” as well as “continuing positive support” of his family.
The decision says Latimer’s long-term goal is to rejoin his family in another province.
“Release plans are realistic,” the document says.
Advocacy groups for the disabled have flatly rejected the characterization of Tracy’s death as a mercy killing.