Man convicted in Alberta Mountie deaths to be allowed unescorted absences

BOWDEN, Alta. – A man convicted of manslaughter for his role in the shooting deaths of four Alberta RCMP officers near Mayerthorpe has been granted unescorted, temporary absences from prison.

The National Parole Board says Shawn Hennessey will be allowed out for up to 72 hours at a time over the next six months.

Board spokesman Gary Sears says there are conditions attached to the decision.

Hennessey is not to consume or possess drugs or alcohol and he is to avoid any associates who are involved in criminal activity.

Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman gave gunman James Roszko a rifle and ride to Roszko’s farm where Roszko ambushed and killed the four RCMP officers in 2005.

Hennessey was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but his jail time was reduced to a little more than 10 years because he pleaded guilty and spent time in pretrial custody.

Roszko killed himself after the ambush.

Cheeseman was granted statutory release late last year.