Man who killed woman granted day parole
Dale Ogden has been in prison since 2000 for murder of Judy (Benoit) Ogden
The Parole Board of Canada has granted convicted murderer Dale Ogden day parole for six months.
Ogden, who is now in his mid-60s, is a second-time federal offender who has been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder since 2000, says a decision from the board dated March 11.
KILLED ESTRANGED WIFE
In 1997, Ogden killed his estranged wife, Judy (Benoit) Ogden, who had reported to others that she feared for her life.
The board said Ogden had threatened and assaulted her previously and she was concerned enough to temporarily relocate to a transitional home with her children.
On July 23, 1997, Ogden forced his way into her home and attacked her. He repeatedly punched her in the face and delivered blows to her head with an axe handle-like weapon, causing her death.
DISHONEST AND MANIPULATIVE
The judge, at his sentencing, described Ogden as a dishonest and manipulative person.
In sentencing, the judge considered Ogden’s extensive criminal record of property offences and his history of intimate-partner abuse against his victim.
The judge acknowledged Ogden pleaded guilty, but noted he did not accept full responsibility for the victim’s death or exhibit true remorse.
HISTORY OF FAILING TO COMPLY
The decision said Ogden has a mixed history when it comes to community supervision, as he often failed to comply with court-ordered conditions. It pointed to the fact he was subject to a restraining order not to contact or go near his victim at the time of her murder.
Ogden’s first federal sentence began in 1994 and, during that sentence, he was granted day parole and successfully transitioned to full parole. He completed the sentence with no breaches or suspensions.
Ogden also completed numerous escorted temporary absences and was granted day parole during his sentence for the murder.
PREVIOUSLY REVOKED
However, his day parole was revoked twice.
In 2017, it was revoked because he was not honest about several intimate relationships or his whereabouts, and again in 2018 for using secrecy to view pornography and access dating and escort services sites.
The decision said he has not been able to manage his risk in the community beyond a few months.
A recent correctional plan update indicates he has developed narcissistic tendencies, struggled in relationships and engaged in paranoia, arguing, blaming and aggression, resulting in hostility and violence.
Being challenged, rejected or criticized by an intimate partner is identified as a trigger for Ogden.
PROGRAMMING
During his sentence Ogden has completed programming in relation to family violence. Most recently, in February, he completed another round of an institutional maintenance program.
The decision notes that further maintenance programming may to beneficial to him.
The decision also says Ogden has a history of negative behaviour at the institution and has spent 325 days in segregation since his sentence began. It noted his attitude and behaviour improved significantly after he was transferred to the Pacific region in 2012.
WORK RELEASE PROGRAM
Ogden is currently participating in a work release program and a report from December 2023 indicates he is meeting the objectives of the work release.
He has completed three escorted temporary absences for medical and administrative purposes and his behaviour and compliance during those has been satisfactory, the decision stated.
He has been accepted to reside at the community residential facility where he is currently residing and has a job lined up there as a camp cook.
LETTERS TO PAROLE BOARD
In making its decision on day parole the board reviewed and considered a letter Ogden wrote detailing the changes he has made to his life and the lessons he has learned from working with a psychologist, Indigenous elder and parole officer.
It also reviewed victim impact statements in which the victim’s family express deep anguish, pain and loss and the emptiness of not having Judy (Benoit) Ogden present for important personal milestones.
They have requested that Ogden not be released in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia or Toronto to avoid contact with them.