Family of Terry Blanchette, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette ‘disappointed’ in parole eligibility change
A woman related to two Alberta murder victims is speaking out in the wake of a decision that transformed the parole eligibility for Canada’s multiple killers.
Derek Saretzky was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in the 2015 deaths of Terry Blanchette and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette in Blairmore, Alta., as well as Hanne Meketech in Coleman, Alta.
He was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 75 years, but a decision from Alberta’s Court of Appeal decided that he would be eligible for parole in 25 years.
Before the change, Saretzky would have been 97 before he could apply for parole. Now he will be 47.
In a statement to CTV News, Terry’s sister and Hailey’s aunt said she is “very disappointed” in the decision.
“What was done to my two-year-old niece and my brother and Hanne was cruel and unusual,” said Amanda Blanchette DeSteur. “Why should people who do horrendous things like this be allowed to have hope for a life again? Bring back capital punishment and forget their hope.”
The Supreme Court’s decision centred Alexandre Bissonnette, the gunman who killed six worshippers at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 and was initially sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 40 years.
Bissonette's sentence has been changed to allow him to be eligible for parole in 25 years.
However, a Supreme Court of Canada decision determined life sentences with no real chance of parole are "cruel and unusual” punishment.
Similar decisions were made in two other multiple murder cases in Alberta – Edward Downey, who killed Calgary mother Sarah Baillie and her daughter Taliyah Marsman, and Jason Klaus and Joshua Frank, who murdered three members of Klaus’ family in 2013.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.