Man who killed Charlotte Lafferty in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., denied parole

The man who murdered a woman in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., 10 years ago has been denied parole.

Keenan McNeely, now 28, was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing Charlotte Lafferty, 23, and sexually assaulting her.

Though he murdered Lafferty just prior to his 18th birthday, McNeely was sentenced as an adult in April 2017 to life without parole for at least 10 years due to the severity of the crime.

Lafferty was a mother to three boys.

A decision released earlier this month by the Parole Board of Canada denied McNeely day parole and full parole.

The board noted McNeely has completed multiple core correctional programs for violence and sex offending and was assessed by facilitators as having improved.

While his institutional behaviour had improved,he was removed from a unit of the prison he currently resides inafter being found with tattoo paraphernalia and being in a cell while there was drug-related activity going on.

The board also said McNeely's most recent psychological assessment in April showed he presented a moderate high risk for future violent sexual behaviour.

"It was the psychologist's opinion that your risk is not manageable in the community on supervision conditional release," the board wrote.

McNeely's parole officer also recommended that he not be released.

The board noted McNeely's sister died unexpectedly in 2012 and his family had a hard time coming to terms with the loss.

He had a "fairly positive upbringing" but family violence was present in the home.

In coming to its decision, the board said it took into account McNeely's criminal and conditional release history, Indigenous social history, institutional behaviour, assessed risk to reoffend,release plans and community supports.

The "nature and gravity" of McNeely's offence were also aggravating factors in the board's decision.

"The victim harm to the family members and community cannot be overstated," the board wrote.

They said McNeely would benefit from continued involvement in treatment and possible individual therapy.

"A gradual reintegration process would likely be your best [bet] for future conditional release to the community; however this would require you exhibit greater commitment in managing your institutional behaviour, remain charge free, abstain from substance use, avoid negative influence, and interpersonal conflict without resorting to violence and aggression," the board wrote.