EDMONTON — A woman who helped rape, torture and murder a central Alberta man has requested full parole, according to newly-released documents from the National Parole Board.
The board said in a decision released Friday that it will hold a panel hearing at a later date into the case of Yvonne Johnson, where it will consider that request.
Johnson, 47, has indicated to parole officials she would also like to be granted overnight leave privileges from the halfway house where she has been living.
Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder for her part in the death of Leonard (Chuck) Skwarok in a basement in Wetaskiwin, in 1989.
She and three others had been drinking heavily when they killed Skwarok, whom they mistakenly believed was a child molester.
Johnson was recently granted interim custody of her two grandchildren and is helping to care for them while she’s on day parole.
Darren Caul, a spokesman for the board, confirmed that Johnson must still report to the halfway house in the evenings and the children are not living at the facility with her.
While board officials noted that Johnson continues to progress “in a positive manner in the community,” and has stayed away from drugs and alcohol, they also raised concerns.
“File information does indicate that you are under psychiatric care for depression, which is recent,” officials wrote in the decision to continue her day parole for another six months.
In considering her request for full parole, and given the seriousness of her offence, officials asked for a face-to-face meeting with Johnson to talk about her requests.
No date for that hearing has been set.
Johnson has also been ordered not to associate with people involved in criminal activity, must continue to stay away from drugs and alcohol and must also continue to follow psychological counselling.