Outrage Over Killer's Prison Passes

0:00It's March 24, Canada news today starts now, AI powered and ready. Friends of a 14-year-old boy murdered almost 40 years ago are furious over unescorted prison passes granted to his killer. Darren Scott Ray, now 65, got a life sentence in 1987 for the 1986 first-degree murder of Darren Peppin. Earlier this month, Ray spent 72 hours at a residential facility in Ashewa on one such pass, with two more approved for the next 12 months. The brutal crime shocked the community right after Peppin started high school. Ray, then 26, tortured and sexually assaulted the teen before killing him. Parole Board of Canada approved these temporary absences back in January, despite his violent history. Victims friends like Susan Tom and Kim Oyster Camelton call it a huge risk to public safety. They describe Peppin as a friendly, smiling kid taken way too soon, and say no community should host such an offender without warning.

1:00The outrage hit hard as Wednesday marks exactly 40 years since the murder. Local leaders are stepping up too. Wibby Counselor Chris Leahy pushed a motion as City Council for Advanced Notice on high-risk releases, and he's gathering petition signatures to send to the Federal Public Safety Minister. Both friends spoke in support, demanding better protections. With dates and locations for Ray's next pass is still unclear, calls for policy changes grow louder ahead of this grim anniversary.