Court hears from convicted killer Nicholas Butcher’s former girlfriends
HALIFAX — Two former girlfriends of a Halifax man convicted in the violent death of a Montreal-born businesswoman and yoga instructor testified Friday at his parole eligibility hearing, describing him as controlling and prone to radical mood swings.
Nicholas Butcher was convicted of second-degree murder in April after a jury found he stabbed 32-year-old Kristin Johnston to death. The conviction carries an automatic life sentence, but a hearing was held to determine when Butcher will be able to apply for parole.
Crown prosecutor Carla Ball argued that Butcher should not be allowed to apply for parole for 17 years, noting what she described as Butcher’s “forethought” for confrontation and that Johnston was his domestic partner — considered a breach of trust and an aggravating factor under the Criminal Code.
But defence lawyer Peter Planetta said his client should be eligible for parole after 10 years, pointing to mitigating factors such as his clean record and prospects for rehabilitation.