One of two men who gunned down a Sudbury police officer in 1993 was granted day parole earlier this month, according to documents from the Parole Board of Canada.
Peter Pennet, 58, is one of two men convicted of murdering Const. Joe MacDonald, a young officer making a routine traffic stop in New Sudbury on Oct. 7, 1993. Also charged and convicted was Clinton Suzack.
Together, they ambushed, pistol-whipped and fatally shot MacDonald. They were convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Pennett’s being granted day parole on Oct. 6 is nearly 30 years to the day since he was involved in MacDonald’s killing. For more details on what happened that night, click here.
The Parole Board of Canada granted Pennett day parole for a six-month period, but denied him full parole.
According to information provided by the board, Pennett’s criminal history dates back to 1981, and involves property and drug crimes exclusively. He didn’t have a criminal history of violence prior to the killing of MacDonald.
He told the board that illegal drug use is what precipitated the onset of his criminal history. A four-year, six-month federal prison stint in 1987 did nothing to change Pennett’s behaviour, he admitted to the board. and said at the time he took no responsibility for his decisions, seeing himself as a victim.
In the report, the parole board wrote Pennett “ended up committing the index offence in 1993 with your co-accused who was a parole violator and who was on the run. You had been involved in a series of drug transactions with this person, and were on your way to complete a drug transaction when the victim conducted the traffic stop that turned so bad. You agree you have provided versions about the index offence that may have involved some minimization, and admit that you have vacillated in taking responsibility through the years.”
Pennett has maintained that he did not beat or shoot MacDonald, putting that on Suzack, who was wanted by the law at the time of the murder. He did admit taking MacDonald’s gun from him.
The board said Pennett’s attitude toward the murder, and his own culpability, has changed somewhat over time.
“You told the Board that you take responsibility for what happened that day, and clarified that your accountability starts from your willingness to participate in a drug deal, your decision to be with your co-accused, and for all your choices that led to you being there at the scene of the crime,” the report states. “Had you changed what needed to change in your life, the index offence would not have happened.”
However, the board said while Pennett’s attitude toward the crime has changed, he still maintains he didn’t shoot MacDonald, despite the ruling of the Court of Appeal to the contrary. This refusal to admit to the court’s findings is a factor in their decision, the board said.
“The bottom line is that the Court of Appeal, the final arbiter, found that you were the shooter, which you deny. Therefore, although you claim to accept responsibility, that has to be moderated through the fact that you continue minimize your role,” the board wrote. “It is also noteworthy that your denial has added to the emotional challenges the victims feel.”
While the denial is a strike against him, the board said, to his credit, Pennett has not resisted interventions aimed at preparing him to return to society.
After his 1987 release from a federal sentence, Pennett breached the terms of his day parole and was convicted of an attempted break and enter a year later, landing him back in custody until 1992. He was involved in MacDonald’s murder 14 months later.
His time inside since the 1993 murder was not without incident either, the board said. Pennett was caught with drugs on a few occasions and was found to have been involved in the drug subculture of the institution in which he was incarcerated.
Pennett admitted to drugs, saying he was suffering pain from the work he was doing and was not receiving adequate health care, but denies being involved in the criminal subculture, pointing to the fact he remained in minimum security and was not sanctioned or transferred to another institution, points the board found “noteworthy.”
“The Board finds that while there may have been some issues around your behaviour while incarcerated, you have, for the most part, conducted yourself appropriately. You have not engaged in violence or aggression over the years of your incarceration.
“You have remained institutionally employed within the Works Department doing drywall repair with excellent reviews. You remain assessed a minimum security inmate with key ratings of low institutional adjustment, low escape risk, and low risk to public safety. You have shown a capacity to bounce back from negative events, and have shown self-management and consequential thinking,” the report states.
Raised by a non-Indigenous mother and an Indigenous stepfather, Pennett identifies as Indigenous, and participates in healing circles and his engagement in these teachings and traditions is described as “very positive” by the elder who leads them, the board stated.
Pennett has secured employment as a drywaller upon his release and is participating in reintegration programs. The report also indicates Pennett was not seeking full parole.
“Further, given all your circumstances, including your lengthy incarceration and institutionalization and the notoriety of your case, you will benefit more from a gradual release into a structured environment where there would be helpful resources and additional support available to you to ensure your continuous progress towards a safe reintegration.”
During his release, Pennett is forbidden direct or indirect contact with any victims in his case. He is also not allowed to enter the Greater Sudbury area or the Algoma District. He must also follow a treatment plan for substance abuse, emotional management and “reintegration stressors.”
During day parole, an offender is released and allowed to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. When on day parole, offenders must return nightly to a community-based residential facility or halfway house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada.
In September, the Parole Board also extended the day parole for Pennett's accomplice, Clinton Suzack. His day parole was extended for another six months.
Mark Gentili is the editor of Sudbury.com.