The National Parole Board has upheld its decision to deny day parole for a Vancouver man who killed four people, including an RCMP officer, during a shooting rampage more than 30 years ago.
Steven Lee LeClair, who was 34 when he shot Richmond Mountie Tom Agar and three other people, launched the appeal in the wake of an unfavourable decision last year from the parole board on his application for day parole.
In its ruling, the board noted several “positive factors” in LeClair’s file, including successful completion of several unescorted leaves.
However, his continued difficulty to explain his actions, his “outstanding treatment needs” and his high risk to reoffend were seen as barriers to expanded leave.
In his appeal, launched last September, LeClair argued several points relating to the original hearing, including the presence of bias and the board’s failure to consider all relevant evidence. The board rejected all claims in a decision released last month.
“You received a fair and impartial hearing, and the board made its decision with relevant law and Board policy,” the decision read.
LeClair was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for his actions on Sept. 19, 1980.
After being kicked out of the Palace Hotel bar, he returned and shot three people. He then stole a car, drove to the RCMP detachment in Richmond and shot Const. Agar.
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