CONDITIONS BREACHED
Man convicted of killing Glace Bay native breaches conditions
Kelloway family unhappy with behaviour of son’s killer.
The mother of a Glace Bay man who was stabbed to death in Alberta five years ago is not surprised the man responsible is back behind bars.
Nicholas Rasberry was arrested for breaching his bail conditions but what shocks Monica Kelloway is that he was allowed to travel while under house arrest as he appeals a manslaughter conviction.
“It never surprised me that he got caught again as he’s a murderer and a liar,” said Kelloway of Glace Bay. “He’s a spoiled rotten brat that gets away with doing anything he wants.”
RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters confirmed Rasberry was arrested at a hotel in Canmore, Alta., at about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Peters said Rasberry had permission to be in Canmore.
“Officers went there to check on compliance of the conditions of his release,” Peters said.
“He was found in violation of his conditions and he was arrested,” adding the violation was alcohol-related.
He said Rasberry was charged with three counts of breaching his release conditions and for resisting arrest. Rasberry was remanded into custody and will appear in a Canmore court by close circuit television today.
“How many other times was he allowed to (travel)? My son was murdered in the most brutal way possible and yet this murderer is allowed to go to work and walk the streets. They really like sticking the knife in the back of the Kelloway family.”
She said Rasberry also breached his conditions the day before he was sentenced on the manslaughter conviction when he was arrested at a roadside check.
“He never should have been allowed out, he should have been in jail all this time. That’s our justice system for you.”
On May 4, 2013, Craig Kelloway, a junior high school teacher had recently moved into a new house in Calgary. He and his girlfriend spent the evening socializing with Rasberry and his wife, whom they met earlier that day.
Hours later, Kelloway was found by paramedics dying on Rasberry’s floor. He had 37 stab wounds to his neck, chest, back, armpits and bowel area.
Rasberry, who never denied killing Kelloway, claimed that Craig Kelloway tried to sexually assault him and that the stabbing was done in self-defence.
The Kelloway family contends it is clear their son was murdered. Evidence presented in court showed Craig had a blood alcohol level of .300, a level of intoxication that would render many people unconscious and in such a condition he could not have been a threat to Rasberry. They also say Craig had multiple defensive injuries on his hands and forearms yet Rasberry had no signs of injury whatsoever.
In October 2015, a judge found Rasberry guilty of manslaughter after a two-week trial.
Both the Crown and the defence are appealing the result and Rasberry was released on bail pending the decision.
Craig’s father Harvey Kelloway, a retired police office, said they commend the work of the police for monitoring Rasberry’s bail conditions.
“Tremendous police work, you couldn’t ask for better.”
However Harvey Kelloway said they are upset with the justice system as Rasberry was released on bail with conditions including staying away from alcohol or places where it’s served and yet he has been working at his old job in a nightclub.
“He is allowed to continue to work at the bar where alcohol is served which is incredible since he was intoxicated at the time he murdered Craig.”
He said if Rasberry is released a second time it will be extremely upsetting to their family.
“We feel if a person is out on bail and breaches conditions they should lose their house and money — whatever they put up — not only Rasberry but everyone on bail conditions.’”
However Kelloway said they feel the justice system will let them down again and they will see Rasberry walking free again today.
“Where’s justice? That’s what we are looking for but we can’t seem to see a light at the end of the tunnel.’”