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'Internet Black Widow' To Be Released On Conditions, May Fight Restrictions

The Canadian Press, 15 Mar, 2016 11:37 AM

HALIFAX — An elderly woman known as the Internet Black Widow, who is scheduled to leave a Nova Scotia prison this week, has agreed to some conditions on her freedom - but may fight the restrictions at a future court date.

Melissa Ann Shepard, now in her early 80s, was sentenced in June 2013 to two years, nine months and 10 days in jail for spiking her newlywed husband's coffee with tranquilizers.

She will be released Friday in Truro, N.S., upon serving her full sentence for administering a noxious substance, after being denied parole in the fall by a two-person National Parole Board panel.

The Crown has applied for a two-year peace bond that would require Shepard to report any romantic relationships to police and allow officers to inform the person of her past history of drugging and harming men.

Some of the other conditions they are requesting include that she remain in her home after 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., report any changes in her appearance, and that she not access the Internet.

Crown prosecutor James Giacomantonio says Shepard has not agreed to the peace bond, but she has agreed to abide by the same release conditions until a court hearing on the peace bond restrictions.

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