A former southwest resident in jail for killing his common-law partner in British Columbia has been approved for day parole.
Shaun Wiebe was granted day parole for a six-month term last month by the Parole Board of Canada, which denied his application for full parole. The ex-Herbert resident pled guilty on May 1, 2023, in Vernon's Supreme Court to manslaughter following the 2018 death of Heather Barker and was sentenced to three years, five months, and 12 days on June 9, 2023. He's also subject to a DNA order and a 10-year weapons prohibition.
The 46-year-old has been ordered to complete in-house treatment at a community residential facility (CRF) on Vancouver Island before transferring to another CRF that approves his request.
Parole restrictions include: not being able to travel outside the Greater Victoria area without permission from his parole supervisor and not consuming alcohol or drugs (unless prescribed by a doctor).
"After reviewing your file, including the victim statements, and listening to what was said at your hearing the Board finds that you have made sufficient progress in addressing your risk factors and have developed a viable release plan for day parole that is sufficient to support a gradual and structured return to society," the Parole Board of Canada's summary said.
The details regarding Barker's death are still disputed by the former pharmacist of over 20 years.
He claimed that she had taken drugs from his safe in March of 2018 and during a physical altercation he pushed her to the floor while trying to seize control of her handbag. Wiebe called a family member later that evening and shared his partner was breathing "weird" and had since stopped breathing. He was connected with emergency services who instructed him to perform CPR, which he did. Paramedics arrived and took Barker, who was in a coma, to the hospital where she passed away the following day when life support was removed. Injuries to the victim included broken ribs, brain injuries, and bruising.
A three-year investigation into her death was carried out before he was charged where a "Mr. Big" sting was used on Wiebe. He shared with an undercover officer that he'd grabbed her hair, tossed her to the ground, jumped on her, and continually hit her head on the floor.
"You said the last thing you remembered was the victim telling you to stop and that you were going to kill her," the parole document included.
Wiebe claims he doesn't concur with the official version of Barker's death.
In another version, he alleges that they struggled over the handbag, upon letting go, she fell and hit her head. He claimed she'd hit her head on the tub that same night and shared that with him via text.
"However, you acknowledge your involvement in the offence and accept your sentence," the parole document said.
Wiebe indicated in his release plan, he will schedule a hearing with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia to determine if he can be re-instated in the industry. Even if approved, he would have to earn his licence again. If not, he will look for work as an electrician - a trade he has trained in.