Layne Larose made his latest appearance before the Saskatchewan Review Board Thursday.
Larose, who was declared not criminally responsible due to mental illness for the axe-killing deaths of David Kennedy and Hughie Sayers in 2002, was back before the review board seeking some more loosening of his conditions.
Larose has gradually moved from confinement at the Regional Psychiatric Centre and Saskatchewan Hospital towards life back in the community, under several conditions.
While Larose has continued to make progress, having found employment and an independent place to live in the Battlefords, the review board was still uncomfortable with the notion of granting an absolute discharge of their jurisdiction in his case — something the board’s chair Hugh Harradence said was available to them.
The board expressed some concerns on the latest report on Larose, which included an item that he had at one point discontinued his oral antidepressant medication without telling the doctor first.
Harradence called it “disappointing.” It was suggested not telling the doctor was not the right way to have gone about it.
As well, Larose requested a further loosening of conditions to be able to go to bars with his friends.
Larose had previously been given the OK to go to Gold Eagle Casino. But the idea of expanding it further to bars did not sit well with Dean Sinclair of the Ministry of Justice, who voiced concern this would expose LaRose to “high-risk” situations. The other board members agreed.
But Larose was given permission to travel to a course in Saskatoon at the Regional Psychiatric Centre, and again with educational activities to help other students the following week.
Beyond that, the review board seemed comfortable with the “gradual” approach taken towards reintegrating Larose back into society.
Members of the victims’ families were also in attendance at the latest hearing, which was open to the public.
