Convicted murderer Christopher Walters was in court this week applying for the so-called “faint hope clause” that would allow him to seek parole seven years before his eligibility in 2031 after serving his mandatory minimum of 25 years behind bars.
Melissa McDonald was a daycare worker who was stuck in a violent relationship with the 59-year-old man. In a violent, drug-induced fit of rage, Walters stabbed McDonald to death on Côte Saint-Luc road in October 2006.
Walters was shot and injured by police after he confronted the officers while holding the knife.
He was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
The faint-hope clause was abolished by the Conservative government in 2010. But there are 200 remaining inmates in Canada serving life sentences before the change in law, which explains why Walters can still abide.
He was able to present his case to a jury after his parole officers in prison confirmed he was on the path to rehabilitation. The jury cannot change a sentence — it can only allow him to seek early parole.
It’s a rare privilege available to convicts who show exceptionally good behaviour behind bars.
“His path inside the Correctional Service of Canada is impeccable. He has no disciplinary records, is not a subject of interest for any correctional officers. He’s going out on his supervised absences on a regular basis since 2022. I mean, he has a perfect path right now,” said his lawyer, Cynthia Chenier.
On the stand, Walters told the jury about his addiction to crack cocaine, which led him to paranoia and jealousy, and ultimately, the murder of his girlfriend.
The prison chaplain and two parole officers told the court Friday that Walters is a changed man who did a lot of soul searching in prison and is taking responsibility for his actions. He was described as a low risk to reoffend.
“Honestly, everybody that comes to the bar and testify under his name is only having good comments about his behavior. So, you made major progress in programs. He’s been involved in psychological counseling. The file itself is very good,” Chenier said.
The Crown prosecutor is challenging Walters' assessments of progress and is questioning his odds of reoffending, should he get out early.
The prosecution will begin calling their own witnesses starting next week, but it has yet to say if the family of the victim will be called to the stand 18 years after her death.
