The family of a woman murdered in Saskatoon more than 20-year-ago is concerned about her killer receiving day parole.
In June 2002, Kenneth Mackay was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Crystal Paskemin of Sweetgrass First Nation.
In December 2000, Mackay had offered Paskemin a ride home from a bar in Saskatoon where he drove to a secluded area and murdered her.
Mackay was sentenced to 25 years to life for the crime and has been serving his time in B.C.
Pakemin’s family along with corrections officers have repeatedly spoken out against Mackay’s release, however he was recently granted day parole.
The parole conditions include curfew, prohibitions against visiting bars, travelling to Saskatchewan without permission, and a requirement to report all relationships with females to his parole supervisor.
In response, Pakemin’s family has put out a statement speaking out against the parole board granting Mackay day parole.
In their statement, they say they believe Mackay is still a threat to re-offend and that no family should ever have to go through what they had to endure.
We know this man is still a threat to all women, regardless of what province he lives in,” read the statement. “We pray that no family must go through the hell-on-earth that we have had to navigate, through the darkest depths of evil, at the hands of this murderer. May the Lord of Heaven protect us all.”
In describing Crystal, her family spoke of her someonw with kindness, compassion, and love.
“From her early years at Eston Bible College, to her moving alone to Saskatoon from Sweetgrass First Nation, she touched many lives with her contagious smile, accepting warmth, and magnetic character. She had a particular interest in helping girlfriends in vulnerable situations, and her legacy lives on through Crystal’s Gift, a non-profit that re-homes gently used furniture to single mothers fleeing violence.”
FSIN joins in opposition to day parole
The Federation of Soevereign Indigenous Nations also put out a statement speaking out against day parole for Kenneth Mackay.
“Once again, the justice system of Canada has failed another Indigenous family who lost a loved one who suffered a horrific death,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear in a meadia relase sent out by the organization. “There needs to be more measures to ensure our voices are heard by the parole system and longer sentences for those who perpetrate violence against Indigenous women and girls. Sentences don’t seem to be a deterrent. The lack of compassion and rehabilitation in this crime shows the perpetrator deserves the maximum time behind bars.”
(PHOTO – A photo of Kenneth Mackay. Provided by the family of Crystal Paskemin.)