Man convicted in McDonald's murders granted unescorted absences from prison

One of the three men involved in a 1992 robbery at a McDonald's restaurant in Sydney River, N.S., that left three employeesdead and critically wounded a fourth one,will be allowed to leave prison once a month without an escort.

Freeman Daniel McNeil, 51, has been serving a life sentence since 1993 for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, forcible confinement and robbery.

He was in his 20swhen he and two accomplices entered the basement door of the McDonald's on May 7, 1992.

They immediately shot two employees in the headand shot a third after she opened the safe for them.A fourth was also shot in the head as they were leaving the restaurantwith $2,000. Three of the employees died, while a fourth was left with permanent disabilities, butdied last year.

In a decision dated Nov.5, 2019, the Parole Board of Canada said McNeil will be allowed to leave prison once a month without an escort for up to 24 hoursfor "personal development."The decision will be reviewed after two months.

The board noted McNeil has been allowed temporary absences with an escort more than 300 times in the last three yearsfor "personal growth and development outings," and to attend discussion groups.

The name of the institution where McNeil is being held is redacted.

In its decision, the board said McNeil has acknowledged his criminal behaviour, although he maintains he didn't know that one of the others was carrying a firearm until the robbery was in progress.

McNeil says he won't return to Nova Scotia

It also noted that McNeil has expressed remorse and regret for the victims,their families and friends, and has indicated he will respect the families' wishesthat he not return to Nova Scotia.

McNeil was eligible for full parole in May2017, but the board said the length of his incarceration and the nature of the offences call for a gradual return to the community.

Another one of the men convicted in the McDonald's murders, Darren Muise, was granted full parole in 2012. A third, Derek Wood, applied for parole in 2015, but was deniedafter the board determined he still posed a risk to society.