NEWS
Man who murdered Barrie woman in 1999 granted continued day parole
Robert Bateman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in death of Valerie Lucas.
Sara Carson
Barrie Advance
Friday, February 1, 2019
Editor's note: This story has been updated from a previous version to reflect that offenders serving life sentences will not reach an end to their sentence.
Robert Bateman is serving a life sentence for killing his estranged wife, Barrie's Valerie Lucas, in broad daylight on Dec. 4, 1999.
Bateman, 59, has been on day parole since December 2017, living in a community residential facility outside of Ontario.
Recently, the Parole Board of Canada extended Bateman’s day parole for another six months as he nears his parole eligibility date of Dec. 5, 2020.
All offenders are eligible for day parole three years prior to their full parole date, with extensions approved in six-month increments, said Sara Robertson, Parole Board of Canada’s acting regional manager of community relations and training.
Bateman’s location is protected under privacy laws, but Robertson said victims in touch with the parole board will be advised of his location.
“I will also note there is a condition that the offender not be permitted in Ontario without the valid reason and prior written approval from the parole supervisor,” she said, adding victims would be advised if he made a request and if it was approved.
The parole board’s decision in imposing the condition states: “the victims have a right to be free from unwanted contact from you, or the thought of potentially encountering you in the province where they live; they remain in fear of you.”
Bateman is a first-time federal criminal offender serving a life sentence for second-degree murder.
At the time of the murder, Bateman and Lucas, 23, were separated and shared joint custody of their two children.
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On Dec. 4, 1999, the two met in an Oshawa hotel parking lot to allow Bateman access to the children. Bateman was armed with a semi-automatic revolver and, after an argument, he fired the weapon eight times. Six of those shots hit Lucas, killing her.
Bateman contacted police the following day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
On day parole, Bateman will continue to reside in a community residential facility under eight conditions.
Under the conditions, he cannot have direct or indirect contact with any member of the deceased victim’s family; cannot travel to Ontario without a valid reason and prior written approval from his parole supervisor; must immediately report all attempts to initiate intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with females to his parole supervisor; and cannot to consume, purchase or possess alcohol.
The decision states the conditions imposed on Bateman are reasonable and necessary in order to protect society and to facilitate his successful reintegration into society.
There are victim-impact statements on file that the parole board considered in its decision.
The parole board decision states Bateman’s behaviour on day parole has been relatively satisfactory. He participates in weekly counselling sessions to manage negative emotional arousal and anger, states the decision.
Bateman has garnered support through his church group.
In early October 2018, Bateman secured employment as a janitor working one day per week and also cooks lunch four times a week at the community residential facility where he lives.
https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/9150659-man-who-murdered-barrie-woman-in-1999-granted-continued-day-parole/
Working one day a week the killer is not a workaholic he is 63 now another reason to bring back the death penalty. He was 40 when he killed his estranged 23 yr old wife they had 2 children together.