Still considered too dangerous to be released, Kevin Smith – sentenced to life in prison for the 1991 murder of David Crawford in North Hatley – was denied release even after 32 years behind bars.
His family say they are relieved to know that he remains incarcerated. Aged 51, Kevin Smith has spent his adult life between four walls. His relatives still consider him violent and dangerous today.
At the age of 19, Kevin Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of David Crawford in North Hatley.
After escaping from Sherbrooke prison at the time, he had shot his childhood friend with two shotgun blasts, convinced that he had reported him to the police for armed robbery.
Sixteen years later, in October 2007, along with Patrick James Wallace, he escaped from the Montée Saint-François-de-Laval penitentiary.
For more than four months, the two men were hiding in the Waterville area where Kevin Smith’s family lived.
They have committed many robberies to survive. Kevin Smith even had in his possession a list of people he wanted to attack, including some members of his family.
His nephew who served as their driver during their escape will eventually confess to the police where they were holed up. It was in a dwelling on rue Germaine Guèvremont, in the Rock Forest sector, that they were finally arrested in February 2008.
Suspected of being involved in a plot to escape from Cowansville Penitentiary in 2013, Smith was transferred against his will to the maximum security federal penitentiary in Donnacona.
-This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal, which stated the following reasons: “His attitude based on violence […] the risk of recidivism he represents, his recent behavior inside the walls as well as the risk that he will commit violent crimes again.”
Three weeks ago, the Parole Board of Canada refused to grant him full parole, citing a psychological report highlighting his aversion to authority and ever-present anti-social behavior.
“His risk of recurrence is high in the medium and long term, which is worrying. […] Any form of release would be premature. […] The commission believes that you will pose an excessive risk to society if you are released,” reads the decision in English.
His mother having died a few years ago, an inheritance of several tens of thousands of dollars awaits him when he leaves.
The 51-year-old man having always experienced crime, his brother Terry fears his reaction once released.
“Imagine he has 50,000 or 60,000 dollars, what will he do? Using drugs and going after family members he still resents. He was always furious with everyone. The decision of the commissioners is perfect, today the region can sleep in peace”, he underlined.
If his next hearing before the Parole Board of Canada is only five years away, Kevin Smith could still reapply by 2028 if he sees fit.
Related News :