Murderer denied early parole
Murderer Gordon Abbott can not apply for early parole, a jury decided on Oct. 29.
In a case that rocked the town of Fergus and the surrounding area, Abbott was convicted of first-degree murder in 1997, one year after the lifeless body of his ex-wife Patricia Abbott (Westerman) was discovered in her home. The 40-year-old Patricia was bludgeoned twice and shot six times.
Abbott, now 70, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The law stipulates individuals can apply for a reduced wait for parole - from 25 to 15 years - but an 11-member jury ruled against Abbott, meaning he can not make another application for parole until at least 2021.
