Deborah Point applies for early parole from murder sentence under faint-hope clause

A Calgary woman who was convicted of murder after her lover's dismembered body was found in boxes wants to get out of prison four years early under the so-called faint-hope clause.

Deborah Point has asked Chief Justice Neil Wittmann to allow her case to go before a jury who would decidewhether to reduce her sentence.

The application falls under the Criminal Code'sfaint-hope clause, whichenables criminals convicted of first- and second-degree murder to apply for paroleearlier than their sentence allows.The Conservative government repealed the clause in 2011,so only offenders who committed crimes before that date can apply.

In 2000,Point was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years. A jury found her guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her roommateAudrey Trudeau, 44.

Trudeau was stabbed 15 times in the back of the head with an axe-like weapon. Her body was dismembered and hidden in boxes while Point went on with her life, lying to friends and family about Trudeau's whereabouts.

Trudeau'sdismembered body was found in a garage in 1999, five months after she disappeared.

• No parole for Point for 20 years

"Audrey's death is still traumatic for me," wrote her sister, Sheila Chiappetta in a victim impact statement. "It is not like she died of old age, or even in a car accident ...Her life was taken from her, thus our future was taken from us."

Point unsuccessfully appealed her sentence. She also applied for day parole but was denied.

'Exemplary case'

Her lawyer argued that Point is a model prisoner who has participated in several prison programs.

"[This is] an exemplary case of a young woman in custody and the strides she has made," said defence lawyer Alain Hepner.

But the Crown took issue with the fact that Point has never admitted her guilt and never expressed remorse.

"Until Deborah Point accepts her guilt, takes responsibility ... shows true remorse, she should not be granted this extraordinary remedy," said Crown prosecutor Sarah Clive in her arguments.

Trudeau'ssister Mary said Point shouldnot be released onto the "unwary public."

"I feel this person should never be released until she honestly comes to terms with what she did," shewrote.

Wittmann has reserved his decision.

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