Drunk driver who killed family of four near Saskatoon denied full parole
A woman who was convicted of killing a family of four while she was driving impaired has been denied full parole.
Catherine McKay, who is 54, will remain on day parole for at least six months.
Jordan and Chanda Van De Vorst, as well as their two children, were killed on the outskirts of Saskatoon in 2016 when McKay ran a stop sign and crashed into the family's vehicle.
The Parole Board of Canada, which made its decision last month, says full parole is premature for McKay, who the board says has issues managing her emotions and is at times disrespectful to her case managers when things don't go her way.
In its written decision, the board says McKay has lacked empathy as demonstrated by recent behaviours, including getting visibly upset when she was previously denied full parole and getting told she couldn't visit her son on a weekend pass.
A request from McKay to visit a pub for a memorial service was also a factor in the board denying her request for full parole.
"It also appears that you struggle with insight into some of your high-risk situations, such as wanting to attend a drinking establishment and continuing to pursue this option, while you have a board-imposed condition in place and also while you were told no by your case management team," the decision reads.
McKay must abide by several conditions while she remains on day parole, including a curfew, a ban on using drugs and alcohol and avoiding contact with the victims' relatives.
McKay had told the board she does not view herself as a risk to society and that nothing would trigger her to drink again, as it repulses her. The decision says she felt she should be released because she had done everything asked of her.
While in custody, McKay has participated in programs to address her substance abuse and other risks that could lead to reoffending. She has also successfully passed numerous drug tests.
The board says McKay has been assessed as having "high reintegration potential," but it was felt "a slow and restructured release is paramount."
"You have taken some weekend passes to your proposed accommodations and this remains an important step as you transition to an expanded form of release," the decision says.
"The board encourages these to continue as these passes allow you to gain further opportunities to apply your skills in a more independent setting."
The board concluded that McKay needs to continue to manage her emotions as they are a contributing factor in her offending.
"Having a slow and structured release, which allows you to continue to put your relapse prevention plan and coping skills into place to manage difficult situations, is assessed as the appropriate next step to support a structured release."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.