Jeremy Molitor has been granted full parole 17 years after stabbing his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend to death, according to family and friends of the victim.
Now in his early 40s, Molitor was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Jessica Nethery and sentenced in March 2005 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years.
Nethery's sister Stephanie, and friends Tracy MacDonald and Shannon Turner attended Friday's parole hearing in Mission, British Columbia and read statements.
MacDonald said it's difficult to describe how they feel about the decision to grant Molitor full parole.
"Obviously we feel there's been no justice from day one for Jessica, so it's a hard pill to swallow," said MacDonald. "We kind of went in knowing. The parole board did state that they have steps they have to follow, and because he's been on day parole longer than he should be, he doesn't show any risk to society or himself, they have to let him out and we can only hope that he will not re-offend."
MacDonald said Molitor has to finish up his term on day parole and will then be moved to another transition house, where he will start paying for his rent and food.
She said he is planning to stay in B.C.
"It's just far too easy for these offenders to dance through the system," said MacDonald. "The fact that there's been no justice from day one is just heartbreaking. But, we can't dwell on the past because there's nothing we can do to change it, so we can just only hope and pray that he doesn't re-offend and the parole board knew what they were doing when they made the decision."
Molitor will have to check in with a parole officer for the rest of his life and his release comes with several conditions including not being allowed back in Ontario unless he has written permission.
"The family would be notified if that were to happen, but he stated a few times that he has nothing left here in Sarnia or Ontario and he has no intentions of coming back," MacDonald said. "He is also not allowed to contact the Nethery family or any of us as victims."
Molitor is banned from using drugs or alcohol of any kind and is not allowed in any establishment where alcohol is their primary source of income. He can't associate with people involved in illegal activities and must report all relationships with women.
MacDonald said no weapons-related restrictions were placed on him.
"Surprisingly, no. No weapons had ever been brought up and we're not quite sure why," she said.
MacDonald said none of Molitor's family members were at the hearing.
Nethery's body was found on May 4, 2002 in her car in a laneway at the Kenwick apartment building. She had been stabbed 58 times.