BC Supreme Court Sets Parole Eligibility for Nanaimo Murderer

In a landmark decision, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Robin Baird set Laroche’s parole eligibility at 12 years during a hearing on Thursday, February 6 in Vancouver.

Judge’s Decision and Parole Guidelines

The court determined that Laroche, who was convicted of second-degree murder, must serve 12 years before she can become eligible for parole. This retroactive sentence begins from the date of her charge on March 9, 2022, making her parole eligible as of March 9, 2034. The typical parole eligibility period for second-degree murder in Canada is between 10 to 25 years. Crown prosecutor Nick Barber initially sought a 15-year sentence before eligibility, while Laroche’s legal team argued for the minimum 10-year requirement.

The Tragic Case

On March 5, 2020, Laroche fatally attacked Mantee in their shared apartment on Rosehill St. She struck him with a hammer and slit his throat, then dismembered his body. Laroche proceeded to dispose of the remains over the course of a year, hiding fragments in various public locations in Nanaimo.

The details of this gruesome act came to light through a series of confessions made by Laroche to friends, which she later denied under police questioning. These revelations led to the transformation of Mantee’s disappearance into a homicide case.

The Legal Proceedings

The trial heard evidence of Mantee’s abusive treatment of Laroche, both physically and mentally. Laroche’s fear for her life was a significant factor highlighted throughout the proceedings. However, Justice Baird ruled against the self-defense argument, noting that Mantee was defenseless when Laroche attacked him and that her actions were neither planned nor[r]emotely proportional.

Laroche, who did not testify during the trial, was found guilty of the murder and subsequent events. The judge considered her lack of remorse and poor insight into the gravity of her crimes as key factors in determining the sentence.

Consultations and Assessments

Forensic evaluations conducted during the trial confirmed that Laroche did not suffer from any mental health issues and had a low risk of reoffending. Despite this, the judge was resolute in the harshness of the sentence, given the gruesome nature of the crime and the victim’s severe trauma.

The Victim’s Impact Statement

Mantee’s mother, Emma Mantee, traveled from Saskatchewan to deliver a powerful impact statement at the sentencing hearing. She expressed her deep pain, emphasizing the inhumane way her son was treated and killed. “You hit him with a hammer, and it took him hours to die; that tore me to pieces,” she stated. “You threw him away like he was garbage. You, Paris, had his head sitting in your freezer, in my son’s freezer, for several months.”

Conclusion

Justice Baird’s sentence reflects a balanced approach, taking into account both Laroche’s history of abuse and the severe violence she unleashed. While she acknowledges her actions as reasonable at the time, the judge’s decision aligns the punishment with the gravity of the crime.

As debates continue around sentencing and the balance between justice and rehabilitation, this case stands as a clear example of the court’s determination to ensure victims’ rights and the safety of society.