(© Can Stock Photo / zimmytws) (© Can Stock Photo / zimmytws)
Chatham

Convicted Chatham murder granted full parole

A man convicted of killing three people in Chatham nearly three decades ago is moving on with his life after being granted full parole.

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) made the decision to grant full parole to Jason Cofell on January 14.

The now 46-year-old man has served 25 years of a life sentence for the murders of 18-year-old Jasen Pangburn and his grandparents, Virginia and Alfred Critchley, in 1991.

Cofell killed Pangburn after luring him to the woods in Chatham under the pretence of firing guns for target practice. He then went to the victim’s grandparents' house with an accomplice where both Virginia and Alfred Critchley were stabbed to death. Cofell pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in their deaths.

After serving some time behind bars and seeing a psychologist on a regular basis, Cofell was granted day parole in 2016 under the supervision of a Peterborough Parole office.

"It is the board's opinion that [Cofell] will not present an undue risk to society if released and that [Cofell's] release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating [his] reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen," the PBC stated in its decision.

According to written comments submitted to the PBC, Cofell intends to continue working while establishing a leather business, live in an apartment with a roommate, and maintain a positive relationship with his family.

As part of the sentence, Cofell is under a lifetime weapons ban.

Special conditions Cofell will have to follow while on parole include staying away from the victims' family members, not communicating with anyone known to be involved in criminal activity, not associating with anyone who is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces -- unless written authorization is given from a parole officer -- and continue with psychological counselling.

"The board accepts the recommendation of the CSC psychologist that [Cofell] will benefit from a continuation, albeit in a gradually decreasing frequency, of this counselling program," the PBC said.

The conditions will remain in effect for the remainder of his sentence unless otherwise removed or amended by the PBC.

-With files from Kirk Dickinson

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