Almost a year to the day of his conviction for manslaughter in a Barrie court, Mitchell Brooks was granted day parole for six months.
Following a hearing April 6, 2017 the Parole Board of Canada decided to grant a partial release to the first time offender but denied him full parole.
According to the parole decision document, Brooks planned to reside at a Community Residential Facility in the Halifax/Dartmouth area of Nova Scotia, his home province.
"Having analyzed and considered all aspects of your case, the Board concludes that a day parole release at this time will not present an undue risk and therefore day parole is granted for a period of six months," the Board ruled.
Brooks, now 53, is serving two years, five months and 23 days for manslaughter - use of a firearm in the 2013 shooting death of his wife of 22 years, Deena
A Barrie judge sentenced him to seven years in prison following his conviction on April 1, 2016 but Brooks received credit for his pre-trial custody.
On May 24, 2013 - the evening of their daughter's high school prom - Brooks shot his wife Deena during a struggle over a handgun at their New Lowell home.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During his trial, court heard that Brooks was suffering from depression and Deena had filed for separation.
Deena saw the gun in his pocket and fearing he was suicidal, tried to get it from Brooks and during the struggle the gun went off striking her in the chest.
The self-employed stair maker was charged with first-degree-murder but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter, apparently accepting Brooks' contention that the shooting was an accident and not planned and intentional.
Brooks must abide by four conditions during his release.
He must follow his treatment plan for mental health, take prescribed medication, report any relationships with women and is not to contact the victims or any member of the victim's family unless he has written permission from his parole supervisor.
The parole decision document says Brooks' full parole release plan is to live with family members in the Halifax/Dartmouth area.
"They have offered support for full parole or on weekend passes on day parole," the board stated.
Deena Brooks was a lab technician at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and mother of two daughters.
"As you described the death to the Board it was noted that you expressed little emotion and when asked about your apparent lack of sorrow, you responded that it was likely because you had spoken of the incident so many times," the ruling stated.
"You reiterated that you feel sadness, sorrow and remorse and remorse over your actions and the impact that this has had on the life of your two daughters and other family members."
Board members wrote that Brooks acknowledges if he had responded to the situation in another manner, his wife would still be alive and he reiterated responsibility for the taking of her life.
