Canada’s youngest mass murderer, her rehabilitation and her path to freedom

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – It’s one of the most horrifying murders in Canadian history. A 12-year-old girl in Medicine Hat, Alta., conspired with her 23-year-old boyfriend to murder her parents and younger brother in 2006. The girl, who can’t be named because she was a youth at the time, is nearing the end of her sentence. Here is a look at her path toward freedom:

Nov. 8, 2007: She receives a 10-year Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision sentence, the maximum for young offenders between the age of 12 and 14. It includes four years in a psychiatric institution and 4 1/2 years under conditional supervision in the community.

Nov. 7, 2010: She is allowed to serve her sentence in an open custody group home in Calgary with all outings needing the approval of the office of Alberta’s Solicitor General.

Jan. 26, 2011: She receives a glowing report from her therapy team and case workers. Justice Scott Brooker is told she is excelling scholastically and prepping for university in the fall. Brooker tells her, “It’s quite clear you’re making significant progress towards your rehabilitation.”

Sept. 27, 2011: During her last appearance in the custodial phase of her sentence, court hears she is making more progress in her rehabilitation. Brooker orders her to remain in Alberta, abide by a curfew and allow for warrantless searches of any electronic devices in order for authorities to monitor her use of social networking sites.

March 29, 2012:Court told she is making “positive strides.” She is taking university courses in Calgary and holding down a part-time job. The judge extends her curfew.

Oct. 1, 2012: Brooker hears she is currently living alone while working and taking classes. She is responding positively to treatment, is expressing remorse that experts consider to be genuine and is assessed at a low risk to reoffend. “You are doing well. Keep up the good work,” Brooker says.

Sept. 30, 2013: Despite her lawyer calling her a “poster child” for how young offenders can be rehabilitated, Brooker rules the 19-year-old should still have to abide by an 11:30 p.m. curfew. He promises to revisit the matter in a few months.

Dec. 9, 2013: Brooker rejects a request to remove 11:30 p.m. curfew, saying he didn’t see “any compelling need to change.” The Crown argues against removing the curfew, saying it made supervision more effective and reduces risk to the community.

Sept. 11, 2014: Brooker agrees to lift the woman’s curfew on weekends. He says the woman needs to assume more responsibility and that a partial curfew could provide that to some extent.

Feb. 17, 2015: Brooker rejects a request to have the girl’s Monday-to-Thursday curfew removed. He agrees with a recommendation from her rehabilitation team that the curfew remain until her transition into fully independent living can be assessed. She is scheduled to transition to a living arrangement with no supervision in the spring.

Aug. 20, 2015: Brooker removes the Monday-to-Thursday curfew. Court hears the 10-year sentence expires May 7, 2016.