By Sarah Rae

Battlefords woman who murdered group home worker as a teen has day parole continued

Jul 15, 2016 | 7:00 PM

A woman who brutally murdered the woman caring for her almost two decades ago has had her day parole continued.

Catherine McKenzie, 33, was granted day parole in 2014 and the Parole Board of Canada has continued it, according to documents provided by the Parole Board. Day parole means she can participate in the community, but must live in a halfway house and return there when directed. She is also supervised by a parole officer.

McKenzie and another 15-year-old, Serena Nicotine, beat and stabbed Helen Montgomery, 58, to death in December 1997. The girls were living in Montgomery’s group home in North Battleford.

McKenzie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced as an adult to life imprisonment without possibility of parole for seven years in 2001.  

The recent decision states over the last two years of day parole, McKenzie has progressed in building a positive, social life for herself.

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“You distanced yourself from negative associates, completed a business management certificate and maintained employment. You maintained the support of family members and pro-social friends and participated in weekend passes without concern,” the decision, directed at McKenzie, reads.

The decision said McKenzie is taking college courses and plans to attend university. She also sells art, teaches art classes and attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

The board decided to restrict overnight leave privileges until reviewing updated information on management of her mental health issues. The decision said she took herself off anti-depressants and had some suicidal thoughts.

McKenzie continues to be restrained by certain conditions. She must follow a mental health treatment plan, not consume alcohol or drugs, not contact family members of the victim and not contact anyone involved in criminal activity.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.