SASKATOON – Day parole has been extended for convicted Saskatoon killer Kenneth David Mackay who murdered 21-year-old Crystal Paskemin from Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatoon in December 2000.
In June 2002, a Saskatoon jury found Mackay guilty of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years. He was granted early day parole, however, in January and released to a community residential facility on Vancouver Island for six months.
On July 27, the parole board extended his day parole another six months.
“You have demonstrated a sustained commitment to change as reflected in your assessed level of motivation and reported desire to live a law-abiding lifestyle,” say parole documents.
“The board finds you are meaningfully engaged in your correctional plan and remain committed to participating in recommended programs in support of your reintegration and risk management.”
Parole documents state that Mackay has been compliant with minimum supervision expectations and has complied with special conditions. He is banned from Saskatchewan, has a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and must return to the facility at night. Other conditions of his release include not consuming drugs or alcohol, following his treatment plan, not being at a gambling establishment, not contactung the victim’s family, and reporting all sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with women to his parole officer.
Paskemin’s family were in shock after Mackay was granted early parole, saying they fear he is still a danger to other women.
Parole documents show there continues to be concerns about Mackay’s power and control issues. The board said he has possible issues with women and their expected role in relationships. A psychologist concluded that he was a high risk for violent re-offending.
“We bear the burden of perpetual fear that another daughter or granddaughter will meet the same fate as our dear Crystal,” said Paskemin’s younger sister Tanya in a statement through FSIN.
“We pray no family must go through the hell on earth that we have had to navigate, through the darkest of evil, at the hands of this murderer.”
Mackay’s Institutional Parole Officer wrote in her report that she had concerns about his inability to accept “no” for an answer, and inability to accept denials or refusals. He attacked Paskemin after she told him "no." At the time of Paskemin’s rape and murder, Mackay was “harbouring anger towards the women” in his life and his failed relationships, said the report.
Warning: Details may be disturbing to some.
Mackay’s parole documents reveal that in December 2000 he violently sexually assaulted Paskemin in his truck. She managed to escape but he continued to attack her outside of his truck, including hitting her on the jaw with his fist with such force that her jaw was broken. He then drove his truck over Paskemin’s head, crushing it.
“You set the victim's body on fire and dragged her body behind your truck for a considerable distance before digging a crude grave and dumping the victim's body into it,” state the parole documents. “You then fled and tried to destroy evidence. The victim was found naked with the exception of one sock.”
He lit her body on fire and dragged her body in his truck by a chain down an icy grid road. He then dug a shallow grave, tossed Paskemin in it, and covered her with snow, said FSIN.
Mackay was arrested less than a week later.
Paskemin was on a girl’s night out at the Longbranch, and after watching her from a distance, MacKay approached her and offered her a ride home, said Tanya.
Tanya said her big sister's essence was one of kindness, compassion, and love. She attended Eston Bible College.
“She touched many lives with her contagious smile, accepting warmth, and magnetic character. She had a particular interest in helping girlfriends in vulnerable situations, and her legacy lives on through Crystal’s Gift, a non-profit that re-homes gently used furniture to single mothers fleeing violence.
“Though Crystal’s life was stolen, her essence lives on through the efforts of those who carry on her mission to advocate for women’s safety and those who had the privilege of meeting her,” said Tanya.
Paskemin had four younger sisters who have each had to bear the burden of chronic pain, night terrors, depression, anxiety disorders, auto-immune disease, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
“We each received our own life sentence when our Crystal was stolen.”
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