Quadruple murderer gets parole

A B.C. man who killed four people when he was a teenager — including his adoptive parents — has been granted full parole.

James Rocco Ruscitti, 37, is serving a life sentence for four counts of first-degree murder for the killings in the family home near 100 Mile House, 500 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.

In June 1996, at the age of 15, Ruscitti and another teen shot and killed Rocco and Marilyn Ruscitti, Ruscitti’s brother’s 17-year-old girlfriend Christine Clarke, and boarder Dennis O’Hara. Clarke’s two-month-old baby was spared, but was near death from dehydration when she was discovered two days after the murders.

In its decision, released on Wednesday, the Parole Board of Canada said that Ruscitti has been on day parole since September 2015 with no major problems. He has been in a relationship for more than two years, is employed full-time as an electrician and is on a waiting list to improve his education.

According to the Correctional Service of Canada, which recommended granting full parole, Ruscitti “has demonstrated positive behaviours and progress,” and his risk can be managed on full parole. His latest psychological risk assessment indicates that he is a moderate risk for general and violent reoffending.

Ruscitti’s parole officer said he has handled stress well, has presented as “open and honest” with his parole supervisors and has a workable release plan.

Ruscitti intends to live with his girlfriend and her daughter on Vancouver Island. Although the board was concerned about “the nature and gravity” of the offences and the fact that Ruscitti’s motivation for committing the murders “remains unclear,” the positive aspects of his file outweighed the board’s concerns.

Ruscitti’s co-accused, Chad Bucknell, was granted full parole in 2011.