Former Hells Angels hitman paroled after 20 years in prison for murder
After serving 20 years for murder, a Hells Angels hitman has been granted day parole for six months with conditions, but the Parole Board of Canada notes "there is still work to be done."
The parole board released its decision Friday in the case of Dean Daniel Kelsie, 47.
Kelsie will be sent to live at a community residential facility, or halfway house, at an undisclosed location as soon as a place is available.
Kelsie shot and killed Sean Simmons in the lobby of an apartment building in north-end Dartmouth, N.S., on Oct. 3, 2000. Kelsie was one of four men who took part in the killing.
"The Board has not lost sight of your offence, which had tragic and irreversible consequences — not only for the victim who was killed — but also for the family members left behind," the board said.
"Their grief and anger remain in evidence and they will continue to suffer due to your actions."
Initial conviction overturned
Simmons's family opposed any form of release. They said in their submissions to the board that they did not think Kelsie was ready.
Kelsie has been serving a life sentence for murder since March 2003. He's been in jail since his arrest in 2001.
Two other men, Neil William Smith and Wayne Alexander James, are serving life sentences for their roles in Simmons's killing. A fourth man, Steven Gareau, was set free in 2018 after a judge ended the prosecution against him.
