Sask. farmer who killed disabled daughter loses bid for expanded leave

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - The Saskatchewan farmer who killed his severely disabled daughter has again lost a bid to be allowed to be away from his British Columbia halfway house for five days a week.

However, the National Parole Board has extended day parole for Robert Latimer for another six months, which allows him to visit his family in Wilkie, Sask., for 120 hours a month.

Latimer, 57, will be eligible for full parole on Dec. 8.

Although the parole board indicated Latimer is "successfully reintegrating into the community,'' it says his case does not meet the test of "exceptional circumstances'' for expanded leave.

The board says it may consider expanded leave to "be responsive to the needs of female, aboriginal, ethnic minority or special needs offenders.''

Latimer is serving a life sentence for second-degree murder in the 1993 death of his 12-year-old daughter Tracy, who he killed with carbon monoxide.-CP-