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Unsere Hymne
George Pitt, a New Brunswick man serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of six-year-old Samantha Toole, has been denied day parole. The Parole Board of Canada decided that his proposed release plan would not adequately manage the risk he posed. The case dates back to October 1993, when Samantha, the daughter of Pitt's then-girlfriend, Gloria Toole, was found dead in the St. John River. The parole board decision, dated Aug. 17, says the board was not satisfied Pitt could be released on day parole without presenting an undue risk to society. During his 1994 trial in Saint John, the court heard he had been found doing laundry at about 4 a.m. on the day the girl was reported missing. Blood belonging to Samantha was found on bedding and a comforter he was washing. In 2005, DNA testing was conducted on evidence from the case after questions were raised about Pitt's conviction. The testing did not link Pitt to biological evidence examined in the case, but it also did not identify another person. Although Pitt, who is now in his early sixties, has maintained his innocence, his conviction remains in place. Pitt's refusal to participate in sex-offender programming was one of the central issues in the board's decision. The board says Pitt told the panel he refused the programming because he maintains his innocence. He also said the material could be triggering because of sexual abuse he endured. His parole officer said the programming was recommended because of the details of the index offence that included a sexual component, adding that the decision had been made at a high level within Correctional Service Canada. The board said Pitt's refusal remains a barrier. Pitt has completed several programs, including programs for anger and substance abuse, but the board remained concerned, noting his past disciplinary issues outweigh his recent improvements. Still, the board concluded that his progress was insufficient. A psychological assessment completed in March 2026 estimated Pitt's risk of violence as high/above average, sexual reoffending as moderate/average and general recidivism as moderate. The board said those results were concerning but not necessarily conclusive, and it considered Pitt's behaviour, programming and circumstances as part of its overall assessment. Community-based residential facilities were willing to accommodate him, and the board acknowledged support for his release. But it found the proposed plan did not provide enough detail about supervision, treatment and other support. The board also said Pitt would require a very slow, supported, and gradual reintegration, noting that he has spent most of his adult life incarcerated and has had little experience living in the community beyond escorted temporary absences. The board also noted that Pitt's health could make future reintegration more difficult but concluded his current plan was not sufficient. For now, Pitt remains incarcerated.
George Pitt, a New Brunswick man serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of six-year-old Samantha Toole, has been denied day parole. The Parole Board of Canada decided that his proposed release plan would not adequately manage the risk he posed. The case dates back to October 1993, when Samantha, the daughter of Pitt's then-girlfriend, Gloria Toole, was found dead in the St. John River. The parole board decision, dated Aug. 17, says the board was not satisfied Pitt could be released on day parole without presenting an undue risk to society. During his 1994 trial in Saint John, the court heard he had been found doing laundry at about 4 a.m. on the day the girl was reported missing. Blood belonging to Samantha was found on bedding and a comforter he was washing. In 2005, DNA testing was conducted on evidence from the case after questions were raised about Pitt's conviction. The testing did not link Pitt to biological evidence examined in the case, but it also did not identify another person. Although Pitt, who is now in his early sixties, has maintained his innocence, his conviction remains in place. Pitt's refusal to participate in sex-offender programming was one of the central issues in the board's decision. The board says Pitt told the panel he refused the programming because he maintains his innocence. He also said the material could be triggering because of sexual abuse he endured. His parole officer said the programming was recommended because of the details of the index offence that included a sexual component, adding that the decision had been made at a high level within Correctional Service Canada. The board said Pitt's refusal remains a barrier. Pitt has completed several programs, including programs for anger and substance abuse, but the board remained concerned, noting his past disciplinary issues outweigh his recent improvements. Still, the board concluded that his progress was insufficient. A psychological assessment completed in March 2026 estimated Pitt's risk of violence as high/above average, sexual reoffending as moderate/average and general recidivism as moderate. The board said those results were concerning but not necessarily conclusive, and it considered Pitt's behaviour, programming and circumstances as part of its overall assessment. Community-based residential facilities were willing to accommodate him, and the board acknowledged support for his release. But it found the proposed plan did not provide enough detail about supervision, treatment and other support. The board also said Pitt would require a very slow, supported, and gradual reintegration, noting that he has spent most of his adult life incarcerated and has had little experience living in the community beyond escorted temporary absences. The board also noted that Pitt's health could make future reintegration more difficult but concluded his current plan was not sufficient. For now, Pitt remains incarcerated.
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