A 50-year-old man, who took part in a gruesome double-murder in Tsawwassen over three decades ago, has been denied full parole.
In a recent decision, the Parole Board of Canada denied Derek Lord his request for full parole following a hearing.
His day parole was continued in January, at which time a panel hearing was ordered for a full parole review, which was held earlier this month.
Lord and his friend David Muir were hired in 1990 by Darren Huenemann to kill Huenemann’s mother and grandmother, Sharon Huenemann and Doris Leatherbarrow, so Huenemann could get an inheritance. The women were killed in their Tsawwassen home.
All three were convicted of first-degree murder in 1992.
Lord and Muir were both sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. Huenemann received a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Lord was granted day parole with conditions in March 2020 and that has been continuing at six-month intervals.
In terms of coping with his anxiety at the hearing, it was noted he did not do well which “is especially concerning to the board because this was an anticipated event.”
He continues to claim he is innocent, a factor noted by the Parole Board.
The board, in its decision noted, his inappropriate behaviour at the hearing, an anticipated event in a controlled setting and in the presence of your supports, raised concern about his ability to deal with unanticipated challenges, in less controlled settings, and in the absence of the physical presence of supports.
It was noted that while he has made progress with program participation, he continues to demonstrate difficulty managing his emotions, as evident at the hearing “which is concerning because inappropriate or ineffective management of emotions has been identified as a potential indicator of escalating risk.”
The Parole Board concluded Lord still needs the structure and support of a community residential facility and is not yet ready for full parole.
The victims’ family continues to object to his release.
Muir was granted day parole in April 2002 and full parole a year later.
Huenemann, who now goes by the name Darren Gowen, was granted day parole on six-month intervals starting August 2022.
