Romeo Cormier was sentenced in August 2011 to 16 years, seven months and five days in prison after a jury found him guilty of kidnapping, sexual assault, coercion, robbery with violence, assault with a weapon and uttering threats to injure or kill. . He served two-thirds of his sentence and reached his automatic release date, according to a decision by the Quebec Parole Board of Canada obtained by CBC News. Offenders must be released into the community under supervision at that point and follow certain conditions. Cormier, 74, lives in a halfway house. The location has not been disclosed. A parole board spokesman referred inquiries to the Correctional Service of Canada, and CSC spokesman Jean-François Mathieu declined to release any information, citing the Privacy Act. “Ensuring the safety and security of the public is a priority of CSC,” he said in an emailed statement. “CSC promotes the safe reintegration of offenders through risk assessment, community supervision, appropriate accommodation and effective correctional programs and interventions. “A comprehensive period of pre-release planning is undertaken prior to an offender’s return to the community. A community supervision plan outlines the measures required to safely return offenders to the community.” Cormier will continue to reside at the undisclosed facility until the completion of his sentence on March 22, 2028, known as his warrant expiration date, according to the parole board’s Aug. 25 decision, which was not released until Sept. 16 “due to English translation,” a spokesperson said.
Special conditions for the protection of society
The board has imposed special conditions on Cormier’s legal release. It can do so when it considers it “reasonable and necessary to protect society and to facilitate … successful reintegration into society”. The board based its decision on Cormier’s record, which includes two prior federal convictions, risk factors for reoffending and a victim impact statement dated June 15, 2022. The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was in her 50s when she was abducted from a busy downtown Moncton shopping center after work on February 26, 2010. During the trial, she testified that Cormier held her captive in the basement of a home for 26 days, forced her into daily sexual acts and threatened her repeatedly before she managed to escape. When he left her alone, bound and gagged, she broke free and flagged down a truck driver, who drove her to a police station, the courtroom said.
The victim is still afraid of the “bad” person
In her statement she “describes the serious consequences she had to live with until the end [12] years after your criminal actions against her,” the parole board told Cormier in its written decision. “She’s afraid to cross your path again, because when you restrained her, you told her you’d get your revenge if you went to jail. “The victim sees you as a ‘bad’ man, with no empathy. She believes that you never took responsibility for the situation, but rather put yourself in the victim’s shoes. She is also convinced that if she hadn’t been able to escape, you would have killed her . “She concluded her statement by saying that she would have to face considerable stress on the day you are released and asked the board to impose the necessary conditions to ensure you are closely monitored at all times.” The board felt that Cormier displayed “a disturbing ability to weaponize violence in order to subdue or even psychologically destroy the victim.”
Special situations
He decided that he must return to the middle of the house every night, have no contact with the victim or any of his family members, and immediately report any intimate sexual or non-sexual relationships or friendships with women to his supervisor. He must not associate or communicate with any person involved in criminal activity. not consume, purchase or possess drugs, except prescription drugs taken as prescribed and over-the-counter drugs taken as directed; not consume, purchase or possess alcohol; and not enter premises where the main source of income comes from the sale or consumption of alcohol. Cormier does not plan to work, according to the parole board. “Rather, you want to fill your time with volunteer work and recreation, such as walking, cycling, and going to the movies.” Psychological reports have described Cormier as an “evil person, who delights in killing animals and beating people unconscious.” According to his case management team, his criminal behavior is linked to “a need for immediate gratification and excitement-seeking behavior and is closely related to [his] marginal lifestyle’. Although Cormier claims to have several children, he is not related to them. “You describe yourself as a criminal, not a family man.” His “self-centered, antisocial and narcissistic personality traits” had a negative impact on his ability to develop deep relationships with other people, the board said. “The offenses associated with this sentence also show elements of control, sexual deviance, anger and resentment.”
“low” risk of sex relapse
Statistical information on the Recidivism Rating Scale (SIR) indicates that two out of three offenders with comparable characteristics to Cormier will not reoffend within three years of release. The risk of sex relapse is considered “low”, largely because of his age. Cormier had two previous “successful” statutory releases after federal sentences, the board notes. During his periods of incarceration, he never had to be disciplined or fail a drug test. He has been the victim of at least three “violent incidents”.
Long criminal record
His adult criminal record dates back to his late 20s and includes convictions for mischief, assault, armed robbery, use of a firearm, restraint and pointing a firearm. It also includes an incident where he “terrorised” his former in-laws while masked and armed with a machete, the board said. “You made death threats and told them you liked blood.” One of the victims was stabbed and required medical attention. “On another occasion, armed with a stolen .22 pistol, you committed a robbery at a retail liquor store. You shot through the ceiling of the store and threatened several customers by pointing your loaded gun at them. Several feared for their lives.” Psych reports indicate that Cormier has said that armed robbery is his “strength and … passion.” He committed most of his crimes armed. Some were planned, others impulsive and sometimes committed while drunk and unemployed, according to the ruling.
