SYDNEY, N.S. — A Florence man serving a life sentence for second-degree murder has been granted unescorted temporary absences by the Parole Board of Canada.
David Clarence MacKeigan, 44, was sentenced in December 2007 in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend. He was also sentenced on a charge of offering an indignity to human remains. He was ordered to serve at least 13 years before being eligible for parole.
The board granted the unescorted temporary absences for administrative and personal development leading to rehabilitation.
“It is the board's opinion that you will not, by reoffending, present an undue risk to society during your absence,” the decision states.
The charred body of Shelley Marie Smith, 28, was found in late February 2006 in an isolated wooded area of Little Pond on the Northside, about a month after she had last been seen.
Smith and MacKeigan had been involved in a two-year relationship and he initially denied any involvement in her murder. The remains were in such poor condition the medical examiner was unable to verify the cause of death.
According to a Parole Board of Canada decision dated Aug. 13, MacKeigan, now in his late 40s, had a lengthy criminal history, although there were gaps in the behaviour.
“However, the persistent and increasingly serious nature of your criminal history, culminating in the murder, stands out as the most aggravating feature of your case from a risk assessment perspective,” the decision states.
The board wrote that the risk of imminent violence is considered low with the real concern over time whether substance abuse, relationship instability and mounting stress resurface.
“Despite these fairly positive assessments, the board proceeds cautiously in its consideration of the toxic mix of substance abuse, stress mismanagement and relationship conflict,” the decision reads.
MacKeigan has successfully completed programs and regularly takes part in escorted temporary absences. He recently passed the entrance exam for a Red Seal welding program.
MacKeigan requested two 72-hour absences, with his destination being two community-based residential facilities, followed by a 60-day absence to one of the two. Local police are not opposed.
“You have positioned the plan as one that represents a fresh start to a province different from where the index offence occurred,” the board stated.
Conditions placed on the absences include that he not consume alcohol; not consume, purchase or possess drugs other than prescribed medication; that he follow his treatment plan; that he report all intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with females to his parole supervisor; and that he have no direct or indirect contact with the victim's family.
It is believed that MacKeigan first strangled Smith before covering her body with vehicle tires and setting it ablaze. The woman's teeth were also removed in an apparent bid to further stymie any attempt to identify the remains. The identity was confirmed by matching DNA from Smith's children.
