Convicted murderer Matthew Munroe denied parole
CBC
A 31-year-old man convicted in the gang-related shooting death of Brandon Hatcher in Spryfield in 2010 has been denied both day parole and full parole.
Matthew Munroe, who was 17 years old at the time of the offence but was tried as an adult, has been serving a life sentence for first-degree murder since 2013. His parole eligibility was set at 10 years.
In December 2010, Munroe and two other men — armed with a shotgun, a handgun and an automatic weapon — killed Hatcher in retaliation for two prior shootings, all of which were gang-related.
In a decision released last week, the Parole Board of Canada said Munroe has been showing clear signs of progress, including the completion of correctional programs designed to help address his risk for reoffending.
But the board said Munroe has demonstrated poor institutional behaviour while incarcerated, having incurred about 25 institutional charges for incidents including assaults against other inmates and aggressive behaviour toward staff.
However, it said these incidents have reduced in frequency and are much less serious in nature, and that Munroe recognizes that "old attitudes supportive of crime and loyalties to people who are still engaged in drug use, possessing and trading contraband and who are generally resistant to working with people in authority are still issues" for him.
"This is an important insight, and it is important for you to make a final decision about which path you want to take going forward in your sentence. If you keep a foot on both paths, it will be difficult for you to make progress," the board wrote.
"Given your ongoing struggles to abide by institutional rules and your continuing vulnerability to the influences of people who are involved in the subculture, the board remains concerned that you will not be able to manage these key risk issues in the community where there is less structure and supervision."
The board said Munroe has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to when he was just 13 years old and has been linked "directly to attitudes of disrespect for the law."
The decision also noted psychological assessments and actuarial measures — a method used to measure an offender's risk to reoffend — all point to a high level of risk for violence.
"Psychological opinion and common sense suggest that you require a gradual release process while showing law-abiding and respectful behaviour in situations of increasing trust and responsibility," the decision said.
"This process has only recently begun and has yet to show the kind of results that would give the board confidence in your ability to manage these key risk related issues."
Based on those factors, the board denied both day parole and full parole.
In 2016, Munroe failed in a bid to have his first-degree murder conviction overturned.
A man in his 80s is dead following a fire at a North York retirement residence, according to first responders.
Every other Monday at 9 a.m., Don Hladiuk joins a Zoom call with a group of 30 to 45 students. They are eager to learn about space and astronomy, which Hladiuk is more than willing to talk about.
Freezing rain, blowing snow, ice pellets and strong winds are prompting weather alerts for much of eastern Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador punched above its weight in sports, and 2025 gave the province the chance to shine on the national and international stages.
Visitors to Halifax would be forgiven for puzzling over the quirky routes of some of the city's main thoroughfares.
Deborah Ann Badeau listens to Country 94 radio in her small apartment. It’s been nearly a year since she moved into the transitional housing unit, after about six years living in a tent.
The walls and racks of the Accès-Loisirs Québec warehouse are overflowing with everything from hockey jerseys and skis to tennis rackets, sleeping bags, soccer cleats and even a few guitars.
Manitoba's government appears to be making progress in its commitment to expand spinal care capacity, but it's not happening fast enough for some patients, who want the province to reduce the barriers to getting out-of-province care.
Chief Cam McBride acknowledges crime has declined even as spending on police will rise to one-quarter of the city’s budget next year.
Two athletes from Prince Edward Island are one step closer to the Olympics after being selected for funding and accelerated development through the Canadian Olympic Committee’s official talent search program, RBC Training Ground.
Hamilton's new rules intended to improve apartment building conditions will roll out Jan. 1.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a yellow rainfall and wind warning for Windsor-Essex.
As Jillian Popplow packed away dozens of T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase “sex, drugs & lobster rolls,” she questioned what would become of the quirky tees.