Sex offender may be in Okanagan

Gerald Richard McLean. (Photo: RCMP)

by Wayne Moore - Apr 15, 2010 / 4:15 pm CASTANET

Vancouver Police are advising the public that 41-year-old Gerald Richard McLean is wanted Canada-wide for being unlawfully at large after failing to return to a halfway house in Vancouver where he was residing. He is currently on statutory release for sexual assault convictions against children. McLean is described as white, 5’8” tall and 165 lbs., with green eyes, long blonde hair in a ponytail and a bushy goatee. He has tattoos of an eagle on his upper left arm, a skull on his shoulder, a rope on his upper right arm and a prospector on his upper back. McLean has resided in both the Vernon and Kelowna areas. Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says police in the Okanagan have been notified that McLean could be heading that way. This is the fourth time McLean has walked away from or failed to show up at a halfway house in the last six years. He was last arrested in Vernon in November of 2007 after walking away from a Vancouver halfway house six months earlier. Anyone who sees Gerald Richard McLean is asked to call 911.

Coroner May Reopen Murder Review

Peter McIntyre Thursday, 17 December 2009 21:28 107.5 KISSFM

The BC Coroner's Service may reopen it's review into the 2004 murder of Vernon senior Bill Abramenko. The 75 year old (pictured) was killed by Eric Fish after Fish went missing from his halfway house, a crime for which he was sentenced to life in prison last year. Vernon RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says at this time, the coroner has not reopened the case. "There is a possibility they could open the case, and if they do it will be to just add our new recommendations. They're not going to be holding an inquiry or inquest or anything like that." Molendyk says the coroner feels improvements made to the way police deal with parolees should be added to the file. A lawsuit was recently settled out of court between the Abramenko family and several agencies involved in the case.

Abremenko-Coroner

Thu, 2009-12-17 09:19. Kate Bouey - Vernon

The regional coroner has confirmed that he is reopening the case into the murder of Vernon resident Bill Abremenko. The 75-year-old victim was killed during a home invasion in 2004. Coroner Bruce Chamberlayne refused to discuss details until the family is notified and senior ministry officials are advised. Chamberlain could call an inquest into the case. Ambremenko's wife sued the federal government over the murder, committed by convicted murderer Eric Fish, who'd been on the lam from his halfway house in Vernon when the brutal slaying occurred.

Abramenko Settlement

Starlee Speers - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM

A settlement has been reached out of court between the Abramenko family and the Federal government for an undisclosed amount of money. Gladys Abramenko filed a lawsuit three years ago over the murder of her 75 year old husband Bill during a home invasion in 2004 in Vernon.A non-disclosure clause prevents their daughter Rosanne Maitland from revealing the settlement amount, but she says money was never the objective when her family named the RCMP, Corrections Canada, and the National Parole Board in the lawsuit.

Already a convicted murderer, Fish had been on the lam from his halfway house in Vernon for nearly seven weeks when he murdered Bill Abramenko. The killing triggered a furor over the administration of halfway houses in British Columbia and resulted in the closure of Vernon's halfway house. Fish is serving a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

Maitland says she still has many unanswered questions and a signed cheque does nothing to answer them.

Parolees Test New GPS

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio - Vernon

Proponents of a new Federal Conservative pilot program for parolees believe it could have prevented the murder of an elderly Vernon man. Okanagan Shuswap MP Colin Mayes says offenders in Ontario will be outfitted with ankle bracelets rigged with GPS technology, which will help the corrections services and the RCMP keep track of offenders on parole. Convicted murderer Eric Fish was unlawfully at large in Vernon for nearly six weeks before he was arrested in connection with the death of Bill Abramenko.The government will monitor the program for a year.

Fish findings disappoint

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star - May 14, 2008

A Vernon councillor has expressed extreme disappointment about the joint report issued by Correctional Services Canada and the National Parole Board in regards to paroled murderer Eric Fish’s supervision while at a Vernon halfway house. Fish walked away from Vernon’s Howard House in June, 2004, and was responsible for the home invasion death of Vernon senior William Abramenko. Fish pleaded guilty to the murder last fall. The report said there were no factors that would have led those responsible for the management of Fish to believe he’d commit a serious offence. “Nobody is taking responsibility for what transpired,” said Coun. Barry Beardsell during Monday’s regular council meeting. “I’m not saying the parties who have given us this report are the ones responsible. This report indicates they are not responsible. “But the report does not satisfy the concerns of council or a lot of people in this community.” Fish did not return to the halfway house in June of 2004, and was not discovered by RCMP until two days after Abramenko’s death, despite several reported sightings of him in the community prior to the home invasion. Coun. Patrick Nicol called for the RCMP to provide more details. “It’s widely known this individual had been sighted by citizens after committing some break-and-enters,” said Nicol. “Someone should be addressing that.” The joint report exonerated those agencies involved in supervising Fish, and made a number of recommendations to help make sure a similar incident never occurs again. Vernon RCMP Insp. Steve McVarnock said he read a copy of the report and was in total agreement with its recommendations.

“In an incident like this, someone should commission a hearing that requires anybody and everybody involved to discuss what happened to help reach a determination,” said Beardsell. “This report doesn’t do it. I’m not saying the RCMP are solely responsible, but why not call them to explain their role?” Mayor Wayne Lippert agreed with a statement made by Coun. Juliette Cunningham that Vernon should not open another halfway house until all the answers in the Fish matter are answered. “I think we owe that to the family and the community,” said Lippert. “Council needs to be able to look at what the community is looking for. And until we have those answers, we need to look at restricting those types of activities. “Our decision needs to be an informed one.” The Howard House is currently used as a men’s emergency shelter, and houses beds for men who are working and can afford to pay rent.The John Howard Society, which operates the facility, has said, at this time, it is not entertaining thoughts of being a service agency for a new halfway house in the community.

Fish report leaves unanswered questions

107.5 Kissfm Pete McIntyre

Vernon city council wants more answers into the case of Eric Fish. Fish murdered 75 year old Bill Abramenko in 2004 while on parole for previous killing. A joint report into how police, parole and corrections officials handled the case suggested changes but passed no blame. Councillor Juliette Cunningham says the city has to keep pushing for details. She tells KISS FM, "Somebody obviously dropped the ball and in that report I saw a couple of obvious things (mistakes) and that was the amount of time Mr. Fish was at large without the general public being notified. I guess we have to get to the bottom of who responsibility that was." Cunningham says there was also a breakdown in communication between the various parole offices. Councillor Barry Beardsell led a motion to seek more answers from the RCMP. "We're not going after them, but we at least want to see if they will give a full acounting, because let's face it, if nobody will give a full accounting, then the flat answer should be that these people (parolees) should not be allowed in this community."Fish is serving a life sentence with no chance for parole for 25 years, for the Abramenko murder.

Family not satisfied with report

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star - May 07, 2008

William Abramenko’s family still wants somebody to take responsibility for their father’s murder. The Vernon senior was killed in a home invasion in August 2004. Eric Fish, a parolee who had been unlawfully at large from Vernon’s then-halfway house Howard House for nearly two months, was arrested two days after Abramenko’s death and charged with his murder. Fish pleaded guilty to second degree murder in connection with the incident in November, 2007. A joint report from a board of investigation conducted by the National Parole Board and Correctional Services Canada exonerated those responsible for the management of Fish while he was serving parole in Vernon. The report said there were no factors that would have led those responsible for Fish to believe he’d commit a serious offence.“Our biggest feelings (about the report) are that there’s a lot of finger pointing, but no one is being accountable,” said Rosanne Maitland, Abramenko’s daughter. “Nothing’s changed because no one still wants to be accountable.”The investigation following Abramenko’s death, said the report, “has not identified any precipitating factors in this case which would have led those involved in the management of Fish in the community to believe that the offence would have occurred.”

Barb Levesque, executive director of the North Okanagan branch of the John Howard Society, said the society is pleased that the report shows the halfway house as being in full compliance with its contract, and the detailed policies and procedures laid out by Corrections Canada and the National Parole Board. The society also shares the Abramenko’s goal of finding answers to their many questions. “Our sympathies lie with the Abramenko family, and the tragedy they’ve had to live through,” said Levesque. “We want to extend our support for their search for answers. They deserve to have answers, as victims of this horrific crime.” Fish was missing for at least seven weeks from the halfway house. Despite a couple of sightings, RCMP did not find Fish until two days after Abramenko’s murder. While the halfway house and police took the brunt of the criticism following the death, Levesque said the John Howard Society is moving forward. “We’re continuing to do work with the people that we feel need to be supported for full integration into society,” said Levesque.The old facility is used today as a 24-bed men’s emergency shelter, and there are residential beds for men who are working or who can pay rent.

Asked if the report provides enough answers to warrant the facility opening again as a halfway house, Maitland, emphatically, said no.“Vernon, or any community based upon this report, would be pressed to find a valid enough reason to take on that kind of risk in its community again,” said Maitland, whose family has a civil lawsuit pending against the National Parole Board, Corrections Canada, the John Howard Society and the RCMP in connection with their father’s death.Levesque said, at this time, the society is not entertaining thoughts of being a service agency for a new halfway house in the community.Vernon RCMP accepted the recommendations made in the joint parole board/corrections investigation report. Insp. Steve McVarnock said tremendous strides have been made in terms of how parolees and others on conditions are managed in the community.

Halfway House in Full Compliance

Starlee Speers Astral Media Radio (Vernon)

The Vernon halfway house that was closed over public outrage after an elderly man was murdered by a convicted killer on parole, has been found to be in full compliance with the parole boards instructions. Executive Director of the John Howard society Barb Levesque says, they're pleased a National investigative report shows they followed the correct procedures all the way to the minute Eric Fish missed curfew June 21st. "There was no misunderstanding on the part of the Halfway house as to the conditions of Eric Fish's release. Those conditions were expressed to us through his parole officer and written documents we would have received." Eric Fish was on limited day parole which meant he could leave his halfway house, and when he did he became the responsibility of his parole officer. Levesque says, the RCMP were called when Fish failed to return to the halfway house.She says no halfway house in Canada pursues parolees who are unlawfully at large.

RCMP Make Improvements After Fish

Starlee Speers Astral Media Radio (Vernon) Apr. 28

RCMP say they've made improvements after a National Investigative Board made recommendations in a 2004 report concerning parolee Eric Fish in Vernon. Fish was at large from a halfway house for nearly seven weeks but he wasn't arrested until two days after he murdered 75 year-old Vernon resident Bill Abramenko. Vernon RCMP Inspector Steve McVarnock says, police have since improved communications with local probations workers. "I know there was one confirmed sighting when one of our plainclothes officers actually saw him out and about himself and gave chase. He called in additional police resources to help but they were unable to apprehend Mr. Fish at the time." The investigative report found Corrections Services could also do more to assist police in quickly locating offenders at large in the community.

Internal parole report on murder of Vernon man suggests ways to stop similar act

Canadian Press

VERNON, B.C. — A convicted killer who had escaped from a Vernon, B.C., halfway house had been spotted in the community several times in the weeks he was free, but was only arrested two days after he killed again, says an internal government report. The joint National Parole Board and Corrections Service of Canada report, obtained by radio station CICF through a federal access to information request, says no one was to blame for the circumstances leading to the death of 75-year-old Bill Abramenko. But the report notes several spots where things could have been done differently. It makes recommendations to prevent something similar from happening again. Eric Fish used a hammer to smash the skull of the elderly man, then tied up his wife, had a beer and calmly searched the house for valuables before escaping. He pleaded guilty last November to second-degree murder and was given an automatic life sentence because he had been convicted of murder before.

The death of the elderly man in Vernon set off a public outcry. The report stated Fish had been sighted in the community during the seven weeks he was at large, but wasn't arrested until days after Abramenko was killed. "A number of persons in the Pacific Region who were interviewed ... felt that CSC (Corrections Service Canada) could potentially do more to assist police agencies to locate offenders who have been suspended but remain an large in the community," stated the heavily edited report. There had been some confusion between National Parole Board members and parole officers about the specific conditions Fish was under and it was made worse because Fish's case was moved from one community to another, the report said. The Board of Inquiry report recommended that both corrections and parole officials develop a common understanding of what "limited" day parole is and make sure that understanding is clearly communicated to supervisors. The board also said corrections staff need more information in the case of offenders serving life sentences for murder. "Given the seriousness of these cases and the increasing number of lifers in the system, it is recommended that efforts be made to make additional information/knowledge (e.g. research, training) available to assist in assessing and managing the risk in these cases." The report stated there was nothing in the Fish case that would have led those involved in his management to believe that he would have killed again. "The development of release plans and support systems in the community were thorough and professional."

Fish had been living in the Vernon halfway home after his release from prison for a 1985 stabbing death in Ontario. He also faced a second murder charge for the 2004 death of 60-year-old Jeffery Drake, but the prosecution entered a stay of proceedings this past January saying the nature of the evidence didn't support a viable prosecution. When Justice Bill Smart sentenced Fish for Abramenko's murder he told him he must spend the rest of his life in jail. "You asked for no sympathy and you deserve none," Smart said.

Eric Fish FOI Report

Starlee Speers, Astral Media Radio - Vernon

Convicted murderer, Eric Fish, gave no indication he would murder again, according to the committee tasked with looking into the violent death of an elderly Vernon man in 2004. Under the Freedom of Information Act, Sun FM has obtained a copy of the National Parole Board and Correctional Services of Canada investigation into Fish. Eric Fish was at large from the Vernon halfway house for nearly 7 weeks when he murdered 75 year-old Bill Abramenko, robbed the couples house and stole their car. At the time of the 2004 murder Fish was serving a life sentence for a murder also involving a home invasion and an older victim in Ontario. While the report from the three member board doesn't place blame, it makes recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

The report recommends a better communication between decision makers and parole supervisors- the board determined there was confusion about Fish's restrictive parole conditions. Secondly , the board recommends Corrections Canada do more to assist police when an offender is at large in the community. Fish was spotted many times during the seven weeks he was at large. The board also recommends more information and training is given to corrections staff in cases of people serving life sentences for murder.Despite the fact Fish was on parole for a murder involving similar circumstances in Ontario, and he'd escaped from a minimum security facility, the board says, there were no any indicators Fish would murder again.

Fish is serving a life sentence for the murder of Bill Abramenko.Despite the long awaited release of the investigation findings into the Eric Fish case, the family of the victim still has questions. Bill Abramenko's daughter, Rosanne Maitland says she hasn't gotten closure because improvements to the system haven't been made. Maitland says, she wouldn't want a halfway house in Vernon again because the community seems ill equipped to deal with offenders. Her husband, Ross Maitland questions why Eric Fish was at large in Vernon for so long when he was spotted numerous times. Maitland says had there been communication between the various Federal bodies, Bill Abramenko would still be here today.Bill Abramenko's family is in the process of filing a civil suit against the Federal government for mishandling the Eric Fish case.

Convicted killer won't face second murder charge

The Canadian Press January 8, 2008

Vernon -- A convicted killer from Vernon isn't being prosecuted on another murder charge. The Crown has entered a stay of proceedings against Eric Fish in the death of Jeffrey Drake. A Crown spokesperson says a recent review determined the nature of the evidence didn't support a viable prosecution.Mr. Fish, 45, pleaded guilty in November to the 2004 murder of Bill Abramenko, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

CHBC VIDEO Fish off the hook – Video
Web posted on Monday, 07 January 2008

Some new information forces Vernon prosecutors to drop a murder charge.

Still No Movement on Halfway House

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISS FM

Plans for a new halfway house in Vernon remain in a holding pattern. The proposal was put on ice by city council earlier this year until a report into murderer Eric Fish, is released by parole and corrections officials.Fish recently plead guilty to the murder of Bill Abramenko in 2004. Lisa Bayne from Corrections Canada says its still too soon to move forward.'There are still outstanding charges against Mr. Fish aswell as a lawsuit So we are seeking some legal advice to see whether or not we can release the board of inquiry (report) or whether or not that would jeopardize the proceedings.' Fish is charged with the murder of Jeffrey Drake which is set for a preliminary hearing in April. The city has been without a facility for paroled offenders since Howard House closed down in 2004.

Fish Pleads Guilty. Escapee from Vernon halfway house admits to murder of Vernon senior.

The Canadian Press

A surprise guilty plea has been entered by a man accused of the vicious beating of a Vernon senior in August, 2004. Eric Fish was charged with the first-degree murder of 75-year-old Bill Abramenko, but instead has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bill Smart asked Fish if he understood that because of his past criminal record, the consequence of his guilty plea means he must be sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility of parole for 25 years. Abramenko was killed during a home invasion in Vernon after Fish walked away from the half-way house where he was living after his release from prison on an earlier murder conviction. The killing triggered a furor over the administration of halfway houses in British Columbia and resulted in the closure of Vernon's halfway house.

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Fish pleads guilty - Video CHBC
Web posted on Thursday, 22 November 2007

A convicted murderer who walked away from a Vernon half-way house and killed an innocent senior has pleaded guilty.

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Killer admits guilt - Video CHBC
Web posted on Thursday, 22 November 2007

The man charged in a horrific Vernon murder makes a surprise guilty plea.

Panel Recommends Scrapping Automatic-Release:

CP Josh Pringle Monday, October 22, 2007

A prison review panel will reportedly endorse a Conservative Government election promise to ensure early release is earned. The Canadian Press reports the panel's report will recommend scrapping the virtually automatic release of federal inmates who've served two-thirds of their sentence. Under the current law, most federal prisoners who don't qualify for parole early are required to serve the last third of their sentences in the community under supervision and conditions. Sources tell The Canadian Press the report will put "some onus back on the offender to want to get out, and to work towards getting out." The report will also call for a multimillion-dollar cash injection into the prison system. Former Ontario Conservative cabinet minister Rob Sampson headed the panel.

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More details at Canadian Press Article excerpt:

An analysis made public earlier this year by the Correctional Service of Canada raised red flags about tightening statutory release. It noted that two-thirds of all federal offenders who left prison in 2004-05 were statutory releases who posed generally few problems. Freedom was revoked in three per cent of cases "for a violent offence," that report said.Early release under conditions allows correctional staff to supervise inmates in the community - a major advantage, the study suggested.Otherwise, inmates held until warrant expiry - the very end of their sentences - would be on their own when set free.Craig Jones, executive director of the John Howard Society, said restricting statutory release is a regressive approach that appeals to get-tough sentiments while actually increasing public risk."Incarceration is just an expensive way to make bad people worse," he said in an interview.

No people, no meeting - Video CHBC

Web posted on Thursday, 11 October 2007

It appears public interest about a new halfway house in Vernon has fizzled.

Hurdles for halfway house - Video

Web posted on Wednesday, 10 October 2007 CHBC

The contentious issue of a new halfway house is again front and centre in Vernon.
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Halfway House No Show Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News

Of the 43 people who turned out for the forum on halfway houses last night in Vernon, 90 percent of them were with Corrections Canada.The discussion was cancelled just after it started because of a lack of participants from the community.Mayor Wayne Lippert and Councillor Juliette Cunningham were the lone members of city council to attend. Lippert told the group from Corrections they should go into the community and talk to the different interest groups they want discussions on the issue of a halfway house. He says most members of the community won't go to forums because council's already shut the door on the idea of a halfway house.

Okanagan Halfway House Meeting Oct. 10

Click on Image to enlarge:

Starlee Speers, Standard Radio News

There will be a community forum on halfway houses Wednesday night, despite a Vernon council decision to wait until the conclusion of the Abramanko murder trial, before moving forward. Bob Ens with the Okanagan Halfway House Society says they had planned for a forum before council made the decision to wait, he says they're not making an end run. Ens says the forum is an educational tool and will discuss what a halfway house is and how they do business.It's scheduled from 6pm until 9pm Wednesday, October 10th at the Vernon Rec Centre Auditorium.

Lake City Casino Proposes Expansion / Kelowna Society Holding Halfway House Forum

By Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISS FM

The main gambling outlet in Vernon has plan to expand.Lake City Casino is proposing a new, 30-thousand square foot facility on Anderson Way.That would be more than double the casino's current building on the the Village Green Hotel site.Lake City's proposal would increase the number of slot machines from 210 to 400, and offer a full service restaurant and lounge.Vernon city council is scheduled to discuss the plan at its meeting today.
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Don Quixote Note: Earlier Postings re 'New' Expansion at:
Bingo slots stalled Dec 28/06 Neufeld Vernon courier
Lake City Casino Plans Nov 9/06
Gateway Looks to Double Space Sep. 13/06 Neufeld Vernon Courier

By Jessica Samuels
Options for offenders will be the topic of conversation at a community forum this week.The Okanagan Halfway House Society, is holding the information forum on resources for conditionally released offenders. The Society, which is based in Kelowna, won the Corrections Canada bid for Vernon's proposed halfway house.The free, public forum is Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 at the Recreation Centre Auditorium.