Full parole denied for man who stabbed wife to death on Winnipeg's Portage Avenue in 1994

The Parole Board of Canada has denied full parole for a man who stabbed his wife to death in front of several witnesses on Winnipeg's Portage Avenue almost 30 years ago, with the decision citing his own concerns and those of his parole officers about not being ready. 

Bruce Stewner, 58, has been on day parole since January 2023 in British Columbia, where he is currently working as an equipment operator. 

The latest decision, from Sept. 19, says that while Stewner has made progress on his reintegration goals, the board feels a full parole release now would be premature. 

"In coming to the decision to deny full parole, the board has considered the very simple and straightforward fact that you do not feel prepared for full parole," the report says. 

"There is an ongoing need for you to properly prepare for this less restrictive form of release."

Stewner was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 20 years for the gruesome May 1994 murder of his estranged wife, 23-year-old Kelly Lynn Stewner.

Stewner stabbed her more than 20 times in broad daylight on Portage Avenue in front of Assiniboine Park, after she ran from their car on the busy street.

As he attacked her, Stewner told his wife she deserved it.

Kelly had been separated from her husband for two months and had a restraining order against him at the time of the murder.

Stewner, who began serving his sentence in February 1995, has been assessed as having a moderate to high risk of reoffending, as well as having a moderate risk for future violence, the parole board decision says.

He was first granted day parole in 2012, but went back to jail in 2013 after using substances and failing to report two intimate relationships.

He was granted day parole again in 2016, but it was revoked after he "failed to report issues within an intimate relationship" he was in with a woman, and because of concerns that he had consumed alcohol and threatened another person, the decision said.

The parole board said it also denied Stewner day parole in June 2020 and February 2021, following an appeal-ordered review.

Further improvement needed 

Under the conditions of his parole, Stewner is not allowed to have any contact with any member of Kelly Lynn's family.

He is also required to immediately report all intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with women and any change in the status of those relationships to his parole supervisor.

He is not allowed to consume, purchase or possess alcohol or drugs, other than prescription and over-the-counter medications used as directed.

The most recent parole board decision says Stewner has made some positive shifts in his behaviour but needs to establish "further credibility" to manage his emotions in a healthy and productive way, given previous failures on day parole. 

"You do not have a plan for full parole. Both you and the [case management team] consider full parole as premature," the decision reads.

Correctional staff have observed that on some occasions, Stewner has reacted to issues "in an exaggerated way," but hasn't demonstrated any belligerent or aggressive behaviour, the report says. 

With respect to relationships, the September report says it is believed that Stewner has been open and accountable with his parole officer about his most recent contacts with women. He is not currently in a relationship but has been on several dates, the report says. 

He has also been in contact with his brother and son, who are offering him "positive support," according to the report.

The parole board's decision also noted concerns about two urinalysis tests that showed evidence of marijuana use, which Stewner denied.

However, Stewner has requested permission to get a prescription for marijuana to deal with chronic pain, the report says. 

Ban from certain B.C. communities 

The parole board also denied Stewner's request that he be allowed to travel to or through the areas of Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Surrey or 100 Mile House in British Columbia without prior written permission from his parole supervisor. 

That condition was put into place in a previous parole board decision to protect one of his former partners with whom he had a "dysfunctional relationship."

Stewner had argued that the restriction prevents him from taking advantage of work opportunities in these communities, pointing out that members of the public would not be permitted on work sites, which would mitigate any concerns about potential contact with the woman or her family. 

The board said it believes the restriction is reasonable and necessary, but encouraged Stewner to work with his parole officer to negotiate permission to travel to these communities for work. 

No other modifications were made to the conditions of Stewner's parole.