Kelly Ellard, the woman convicted of killing Reena Virk back in 1997, has had her day parole expanded.
A decision from the Parole Board of Canada released Tuesday says Ellard can live away from her residential facility for up to five days a week.
Ellard, who now goes by the name Kerry Sim, was first granted day parole in November 2017.
Ellard was 15-years-old when she and a group of teens beat Virk in Saanich. Ellard and an accomplice followed Virk, who was injured, beat her again and then drowned her in the Gorge waterway.
Reena Virk was killed in November 1997. File photo.
The high-profile case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada before Ellard was convicted and given a life sentence for second-degree murder.
She is now in her late 30s, has two children, and the board says her relationship with her spouse is a stabilizing factor for reintegration.
Five conditions for her day parole remain. They include not consuming or using alcohol or drugs, and that she follow her treatment program and not associate with anyone involved in crime.
The board says the extension of day parole for six months will contribute to Ellard’s reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.
It says she has demonstrated compliance and stability since being permitted four-day leaves from her residential facility and that has now been increased to five.
“The board finds that extended leave privileges will allow you a greater degree of independence while continuing to have the support of the (community based residential facility.)”
It says the murder, Ellard’s extremely callous behaviour afterward and her actions in prison, which included issues with substance misuse and violent behaviour, were “problematic.”
“However, to your credit, you have demonstrated increased accountability for your actions and there have been no concerns related to substance misuse or violent behaviour for many years. You have successfully completed five periods of day parole without issue.”
With files from The Canadian Press
CHEK News
