Shawn Hennessey wins temporary leave from prison

Shawn Hennessey, one of two men convicted in the 2005 deaths of four Alberta Mounties, has won limited freedom after aparole hearingtoday at the BowdenInstitution where he is serving a 10-year sentencefor manslaughter.

Hennessey can apply over the next six months forunescorted temporary absences from prison.

For first time Hennesseyaccepted full responsibility for his role in Mountie shootings.He canleave jail unescorted once a month for up to threedays, but will berequired tostay at his family's home in Barrhead.

"This is all at my hands,"he told the board."All I had to do was make a phone call. I chose not to. I was scared, I was confused. I didn't know what to do."

KeepHennesseyin jail, mother pleads

The only member of any of the victims family in attendance at the hearing was Const. AnthonyGordon's mother, Doreen Jewell-Duffy.

She urged the board to deny Hennessey any release.

"Shawn helpedRoszkomurder my son because he is a coward," she said.

"My world has been shattered. The days and nights are long and empty. My son will never see his sons. Shawnyou get to go home to your children."

She also told the board her statement today is her last because "it won't change anything."

When asked by a board member why he should get temporary release,Hennesseytold the board,"I've grown tremendously. I can'timagine what thefamilieshave gone through."

"I have a wife and children. It's not just for me.I have toproveto myself toeverybodythat I have changed. I amtryingto be a better person."

'He's come a long way,' wife says

Christine Hennessey said her husband is a better man.

"He's come a long waydowna lonely road. Mychildrendeservethis chance. I deserve this chance."

Corrections Services of Canada and hispsychologistassessed Hennessey's risk to re-offend as low, the board said, adding that unescorted temporary release is partof his gradualre-integrationinto the community.

Members of Hennesseys family were jubilant about the board's decision.

Wonderful, said his aunt Criss Hennessey. We're all just thrilled. Really happy.

His mother said the community supported her son.

There was I think over 300 letters written in his favour and the parole board did take that into consideration, Sandy Hennessey said.

The married father of two was sentenced in January 2009 to 15 years in prison, which was later reduced to 10years in recognition of timeserved and hisguilty plea.

Hennessey's brother-in-law, Dennis Cheeseman, was released last November after serving two thirds of his seven-year sentence.

HennesseyandCheesemanadmitted togiving JamesRoszkoa gun and a ride back to his farm where four Mounties wereguardingamarijuana grow-op and auto-parts chop shop set up in a Quonset hut.

Roszko gunned down Constables PeterSchiemann, Anthony Gordon, BrockMyroland Leo Johnstonon March 3, 2005 beforeturning the gun on himself.