Convicted murderer Christopher Alexander is appealing the Parole Board of Canada’s decision to deny him both full and day parole, according to the victims family.
Alexander was sentenced to life in prison for the burial 1998 stabbing death of Kitimat mom Linda LeFranc. On April 19 of this year the parole board denied his request partly on the grounds of his “deceitful behaviour” and risky relationships during previous releases.
He is currently being held in Mountainside Institute medium-security prison.
READ MORE: Christopher Alexander denied parole
Reacting to Alexander’s appeal, LeFranc’s sister, Anita Johnstone, said society deserves better from the system. She has attended all of Alexander’s parole hearings in the past 10 years.
“This is beyond frustrating for our family and for all those instrumental in trying to protect our communities from this individual. Although it is ‘his right’ to appeal, it is an incredible waste of scarce resources, time and taxpayers dollars. It not only imposes unnecessary and undue stress on all those who have been affected by his premeditated decision to brutally murder Linda, but it’s further evidence that the justice system is weighted heavily and unfairly to the disadvantage of victims and their families.”
READ MORE: Petition aims to block parole eligibility for killer
Alexander’s day parole was suspended in 2016 in relation to claims that he engaged in non-consensual sex on several occasions with his girlfriend as she slept. Criminal charges brought against him were stayed when the court was unable to locate the victim.
A psychological assessment put him at moderate risk to re-offend violently. When denying Alexander parole last April, the board noted several other violations of conditions on previous releases, in addition to Alexander’s habitual tendency to lie by omission.
“Alexander is a convicted murderer who breached the trust given to him for a second chance to rehabilitate. The heinous nature of his crimes, lack of insight, history of noncompliance, deception and strategic non-disclosure while incarcerated should preclude his release. Having attended all Alexander’s Parole Hearings, I can attest to the fact that this individual has absolutely no grounds to appeal the boards decision to deny parole.”
On Dec. 9, 1998 Alexander, then 17-years old, armed himself with knife and retrieved a key known to be hidden outside LeFranc’s townhouse in Terrace. He stabbed her 83 times. Her body was found by her seven-year-old daughter.
Alexander was convicted in 2002 of second-degree murder.
The National parole Board’s Appeal Division is expected to hand down their decision within three to six months.
quinn@terracestandard.com
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