Toronto Boxing Day killer granted full parole 7 months before shooting

The man convicted in the 2005 Toronto Boxing Day murder of a 15-year-old was granted full parole in January after being assessed as having a 76 per cent chance of recidivism.

Seven months after getting parole, 43-year-old Jeremiah Valentine faces one count of first-degree murder in the killing of Abdeck Kenedith Ibrahim.

The 33-year-old Ibrahim was gunned down in a downtown Montreal square around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday.

In 2009, Valentine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 12 years in the 2005 shootout in downtown Toronto between rival gangs that killed 15-year-old Jane Creba.

In its decision granting parole, the Parole Board of Canada says an August 2021 psychological assessment of Valentine indicated he had the highest level of risk — a 76 per cent chance of recidivism over a period of five years after release.

However, the parole board says he made “observable and measurable” change in prison, adding that his release will “contribute to the protection of society.” 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes