Roszko helper granted full parole
Shawn Hennessey expresses regret about the day four Mounties died
One of two men who helped James Roszko shortly before Roszko murdered four Mounties was granted full parole Tuesday.
The decision means Shawn Hennessey will leave the halfway house where he’s lived for months on day parole and return to his family home fulltime. Previously, he went home only on weekends.
Hennessey told his parole hearing he often thinks about the deadliest day in modern RCMP history. “The impact I’ve had on others has been tremendous and devastating. Four families greatly suffered and I can’t imagine what they still go through every day.”
In 2009, Shawn Hennessey and his brother-in-law, Dennis Cheeseman, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for giving James Roszko a rifle and a ride to his farm near Mayerthorpe in March 2005.
As his wife Christine held his hand Tuesday, Hennessey told the parole board he made the wrong choices the night the officers died.
“I should’ve done the right thing and phoned the RCMP. That’s a decision I’ll regret for the rest of my life. I could’ve changed so many things. Not only did I decide not to, but I convinced Dennis not to do the same.”
Hennessey told his hearing he was afraid of Roszko.
Once back on his farm, Roszko gunned down constables Peter Schiemann, Anthony Gordon, Brock Myrol and Leo Johnston as they guarded evidence of a marijuana grow-op and automobile chop shop. Roszko then killed himself.
Schiemann’s father, Rev. Don Schiemann, said Tuesday he’s accepted Hennessey’s repeated expressions of remorse as sincere. “I wish him well. I hope he’s given a chance, and he does the best he can with this fresh start.”
Hennessey plans to live with his wife and daughters in the Barrhead area, though a parole board member suggested some in the community might not welcome him.
“You’re planning on living in the same area and people have long memories,” board member Marilyn Kenny told him. “You may be faced with some pretty hurtful remarks.”
Hennessey was sentenced to 10 years and four months for his role in the crime. Cheeseman was sentenced to seven years and two months and has already been released after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
As part of his release, Hennessey cannot enter Lac La Biche, after the Johnston family requested he not appear in their hometown.
“For them to see me, I can’t imagine what that would do to any of the families,” Hennessey said. “To look at the man responsible, I can’t fathom how that would make them feel.”
Family members of the four slain officers did not attend the hearing.
Hennessey was granted day parole in September 2014.
His statutory release date is Dec. 29, 2015.