A decision by the Parole Board of Canada dated Feb. 1 found that Miles Sanderson “would not present an unreasonable risk” and his release would “contribute to the protection of society” by facilitating his reintegration. “The Board is satisfied that your risk is manageable in the community if you live on your own [blacked out] maintain sobriety and employment and continue to develop support, including treatment,” the board wrote. Story continues below ad Sanderson became the subject of a massive police manhunt after 11 people were killed and 19 injured in the James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Sask. Among the dead was Sanderson’s brother Damien, who was also wanted.
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Saskatchewan stabbing: Mother of two, first responder dead
Police said little about Sanderson, except that he had a significant criminal record, was last seen in Regina and was wanted on an arrest warrant for three counts of first-degree murder after Sunday’s stabbings. But his parole records recount almost two decades of criminality, including drug and alcohol abuse, as well as associations with gang members, pimps and drug dealers. Although only 31, he had 59 criminal convictions since he turned 18. Story continues below ad His most recent convictions were for assault, assault with a weapon, assault on a police officer, uttering threats, disorderly conduct and robbery. According to parole records obtained by Global News, in July 2017, Sanderson showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s home and “acted in a threatening manner, made gang comments and destroyed property.” While the children hid in a bathtub, he punched a hole in the bathroom door before going outside and throwing a concrete block through the side window of a car. He had fled before the police arrived. 5:36 “Why would you go in and kill an innocent?” Saskatchewan communities mourn mass stabbing victims ‘Why go in and kill an innocent? Saskatchewan communities mourn mass stabbing victims Days later, during an argument with an employee at a First Nations band shop, Sanderson “attempted to fight the victim and then threatened to kill him and burn down his parents’ house.” Again, the police were unable to find him. Trending Stories
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In November 2017 he threatened his accomplice, hitting him in the head with a firearm and stomping on his head. He then had his accomplice rob a fast-food restaurant at gunpoint, according to his parole records. Story continues below ad The following April, while drinking at a house, he stabbed two men with a fork. He then went outside and beat a victim unconscious in a ditch. Sanderson returned to the house and kicked in the door. He was finally arrested in June 2018 after telling police he should be shot. As he was being placed in a police car, he kicked an officer in the face and head repeatedly, the parole board wrote.
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His prison sentence totaled four years, four months and 19 days, with 12 months suspended. During his time in federal prison, Sanderson “participated in programming and cultural activities and engaged with elders,” records show. It was reported to have made a profit. In February 2021, he was transferred to a hospital. He was released in August 2021 on statutory parole. The parole board said in a statement that statutory parole was mandatory after the offenders had served two-thirds of their sentences. However, Sanderson’s statutory parole was suspended in November 2021 when he was caught lying to his supervisor. Three months later, the Parole Board revoked the suspension. Story continues below ad In its 10-page decision, the Board wrote that while Sanderson had “a significant journey” ahead of him and needed to stay sober and receive treatment, he “made an effort” to address his emotional and addiction issues. “To your credit, it appears that you have maintained sobriety, found employment, engaged a therapist, engaged in cultural ceremonies, acquired a home for your family, and appeared to be making good progress in reintegration,” the Board wrote. “It is the board’s opinion that you will not present an unreasonable risk to society if you are released on statutory parole and that your release will help protect society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen,” the decision said. After his release, Sanderson was ordered to abstain from alcohol or drugs, undergo a treatment program, avoid his victims and their families and have no contact with his children and a person identified only by the initials VB . By May, however, Sanderson was listed by Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers as “unlawfully at large” and was last seen in Saskatoon, about 200 kilometers southwest of the scene of Sunday’s mass killings. 3:06 Police tactics behind Saskatchewan manhunt Police tactics behind Saskatchewan manhunt stabbings According to his parole records, Sanderson spent his childhood bouncing between family members. After his parents divorced when he was 9, he lived with his father, who was allegedly violent with his girlfriend. Story continues below ad He then moved in with his grandparents but returned to his father aged 11 “due to an abusive environment”. For the rest of his teenage years, he moved back and forth between his mother and father. A psychological report said his upbringing “created a sense of abandonment and feelings of not being wanted”, which it said played a role in his criminal behaviour. He started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at the age of 12 and started using cocaine at 14. In his mid-teens, he fathered an estranged child. He may have been a gang member at one time, his parole records show. He had five other children but said alcohol had damaged his relationship with their mother “and there are reports of domestic violence in that relationship and a no-contact order was put in place as a result of previous domestic violence”. “Given your Indigenous background, the Board notes that there are factors from your background that may have contributed to your involvement in the criminal justice system,” according to the Parole Board’s decision. These include the intergenerational effects of homeschooling, neglect, exposure to substance abuse, childhood domestic violence, family fragmentation, lack of education, and loss of culture and spirituality. A psychological report, completed in October 2020, stated that Sanderson had reported past battles with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and was believed to be suffering from PTSD. Story continues below ad The psychologist said Sanderson was taking psychotropic medication to manage concerns about Attention Deficit Disorder and found he was at moderate risk of re-offending. RCMP said Monday that Sanderson may be injured. Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said he was “very confident” Sanderson was spotted in the city on Sunday. [email protected] © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
