Killer who displays ‘unbridled brutality’ could get bail
A KILLER WHO is so likely to “cause death or serious harm” that he is being kept in prison until the end of his sentence on one homicide has had his conviction overturned on another one.
Jeremy Hall will serve every last minute of his manslaughter sentence for the death of Kelvin Sawa, which ends June 27. In the meantime, his conviction for the first-degree murder of Billy Mason was successfully appealed and a new trial has been granted. So when Hall is finished his manslaughter sentence this summer, he will be eligible to apply for bail in his murder case.
Kelvin hanged himself in the Niagara Detention Centre in August 2011. Hall pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Court heard he beat Kelvin in the shower area after learning he was charged with sexual offences involving a child. He later passed a noose, made from bed sheets, into Kelvin’s cell and told him to “do himself a favour.”
In 2013, a jury found Hall guilty of driving Billy Mason to a rural area, fatally shooting him and burning his body. No remains were recovered. The Crown argued Hall murdered Billy because he believed he was framed in a drug deal that left Hall a target for Hells Angels.
One can only hope that if a bail hearing does occur, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) decision to detain Hall until his warrant expiry date will be entered as evidence.
“You are likely to commit an offence causing death or serious harm to another person,” its March 29 decision says.
It goes on to say Hall is a violent, chronic offender who committed manslaughter while in prison, stockpiled contraband that could be used as weapons, has refused treatment and has psychological issues that make him at high risk of reoffending.
Hall reached his statutory release date — the law requires federal offenders who have served twothirds of a fixed-length sentence to be released from prison under supervision — on Oct. 27 for the manslaughter charge. At that time it was a moot point since he was also serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. But when his murder conviction was quashed on appeal on Feb. 26, Hall was suddenly eligible for release on the manslaughter charge and for a bail hearing on the murder.
That’s when the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada stepped in with a rare “referral for detention.” It recommended Hall, 44, be kept in until June. After reviewing the matter, the PBC agreed.
“You have shown a pattern of persistent violent behaviour,” the board wrote, “over the course of almost three decades.”
Hall’s two-year manslaughter sentence is his third federal sentence. As an adult, he has had 27 convictions, including assault, aggravated assault, assaulting a peace officer, robbery with violence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a prohibited weapon, and escape custody. Hall has also had 57 charges withdrawn or stayed, according to the PBC, including charges related to violence. There have been no “significant offence-free periods,” not even in custody.
The board notes Hall has an inability to control his violent behaviour “even while in an institution.” It says he has “a callous disregard for the results of (his) violent behaviour” and “acted with unbridled brutality against your victims,” including a former girlfriend and the brother of another girlfriend.
He also threatened to kill victims of his break-ins.
The board says Hall is an Indigenous person, with roots on his father’s side. The PBC has taken his background into account in making its decision, however, Hall has little or no knowledge of his roots and has “expressed no interest in following a traditional healing path.”
Hall refused to participate in psychological testing in prison. A psych evaluation based on what was known of Hall was completed last month. It put Hall’s risk of violent re-offending as high. It says the primary factor in his crimes is his antisocial attitude and impulsivity. He does not function well in the community and has few community supports.
Hall also refused — “on the advice of your counsel” — to participate in a prison program aimed at improving the offender’s psychological state and reduce recidivism.
The PBC also considered Hall’s behaviour while in prison. In August 2017 he incited men on his range to cover their cell windows. In November, a search of his cell revealed a bag of gloves and “altered items” including electronics, small pieces of metal and nail clippers.
“The board is satisfied that these betray foiled plans or plots to carry out future offences within the institution causing death or serious harm to individuals in the institution.”
That’s an ominous statement. And now there is a chance Hall will get out.