Vancouver man convicted of four 1980 murders granted day parole

Despite “fear” expressed by families of his victims, a Vancouver man convicted of murdering four people including a Richmond Mountie 42 years ago has been granted day parole for six months.

Steven Leclair shot and killed three people in a Vancouver bar in September 1980, then went to the RCMP detachment in Richmond where he killed one officer and wounded another.

In a decision made in mid-December and requested by Postmedia, the Parole Board of Canada said Leclair can leave prison each day provided he abides by a number of provisions, including staying away from bars and alcohol, police detachments, his victims and proscribed areas of the Lower Mainland and Victoria.

He must also attend any psychological counselling arranged by his parole officer to assess his risk and ability to reintegrate into society.

The board justified the decision by noting Leclair is 76 years old and dealing with chronic health issues that require him to get full-time medical care.