Eighteen years after the brutal murder of Melissa McDonald, her killer is being offered an early chance at parole.
On Friday, a jury decided Christopher Walters, convicted of first-degree murder in 2006, could apply for parole three years earlier than scheduled.
Walters, who was serving a life sentence without parole eligibility until 2031, will now be eligible in October 2028 after using the “faint-hope clause.”
This clause allows individuals convicted of murder or high treason to request a reduction in their parole ineligibility period after serving at least 15 years. It requires a jury to assess the case and decide whether early eligibility is warranted.
Melissa’s cousin, Valerie McDonald, expressed disbelief over the jury’s decision. “No one understands how a jury could actually agree to give [this] murderer that much freedom,” she told CTV News.
Valerie, who declined to appear on camera for fear of repercussions, said the decision has left her worried about Walters being back in the community. “I don’t know what to expect,” she said.
Walters was convicted of stabbing Melissa McDonald to death after she ended their abusive relationship.
Valerie said she worries for the safety of other women as well. “I hope they run away, but he’s a very smooth talker,” she said. “It’s scary too because [Melissa] was not the first woman that he had an abusive relationship with.”
Walters and his defense team argued that he has changed, undergoing therapeutic and spiritual rehabilitation while in prison. They said his efforts to turn his life around as justification for early parole eligibility.
Defense lawyer Eric Sutton explained the factors jurors must consider in such cases.
“They’re supposed to look at the offenders' conduct while incarcerated and their efforts to rehabilitate,” he said. “Including whether they have taken advantage of schooling or professional training that might be available in prison.”
Prosecutor Philippe Vallières-Roland said Melissa’s family worked tirelessly to oppose Walters’ bid for early parole. “They wrote letters, they came to testify, and they made a really strong case,” he said.
Despite the jury’s decision, Valerie says it doesn’t erase the pain her family has endured.
“[Melissa] was a very, very gentle soul — she was always happy,” said the cousin. “She obviously did not deserve anything like this to happen to her.”
