The prosecution laid its case against convicted murderer Christopher Walters on Tuesday.
He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years for the 2006 killing of Melissa McDonald in NDG, but is applying for early parole.
Prosecutor Philippe Valiere-Rolland called “collateral victims” to the stand – close friends and relatives of McDonald and those who worked with her at the time of her death.
Walters, whose photo was never made public, is asking a jury to give him permission to seek parole before he’s served his minimum period of parole ineligibility by invoking what’s commonly called the faint-hope clause.
It allows an inmate with a clean rehabilitation record to ask a jury for permission to seek parole before the mandatory minimum.
The clause was abolished in 2010 by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, but inmates convicted before that date can still apply.
McDonald’s father, John McDonald, who lives in Chicago, is against it.
The jury heard an emotional letter from McDonald on Tuesday.
“Christopher Walters was convicted of first-degree murder,” the leader reads. “I have to admit that this judicial proceeding is really difficult for us. I feel that Mr. Walters should serve his complete sentence for his actions. Unfortunately, Melissa can’t get a 10-year life extension. I would have loved to have those extra years with her.”
Melissa’s cousin, Valerie McDonald, could not hold back her tears as she told the jury how Melissa’s death still affects her.
“Since Melissa’s murder, I live with anger and rage that I never felt before this tragedy,” she said. “Anxiety and depression now cloud my days. I constantly feel the weight of the grief pressing down on me.
“Walter’s actions on October 16, 2006 were deliberate, calculated and devastating. Melissa doesn’t get a second chance or freedom. He made the decision to end Melissa’s life. I strongly oppose the early parole that Christopher Walters is asking for. ”
The jury also heard a statement from Melissa’s close friend, Patricia Rogers.
“Melissa has no weekend passes to visit family and friends, no Christmas and no birthdays,” she said. “She cannot ask for or will ever have a second chance at life. Melissa got a life sentence of lying in the cold ground.”
Last week, Walters and his defence team argued he was a changed man, a model prisoner who is unlikely to offend again.
The prosecution and defence will make their closing arguments to the court on Wednesday. It will then be up to the 12-member jury to decide if he should be allowed to seek parole seven years before his eligibility.
