William Conway out on day parole without warning, Veronica Doyle's family says

Veronica Doyle's family was remembering the sombre anniversary of the death of their mother this week when they learned through Facebook the man who killed her has been granted day parole.

• Veronica Doyle's family hopes her death is a warning to others
• William Conway gets 6-1/2 years in death of Veronica Doyle

Lee Doyle — Veronica Doyle's daughter — said she noticed Tuesday that William Conway had set up a new Facebook account.

"There were some pictures added of him. And his profile picture is one of him with his thumbs up," Doyle told CBC News Friday.

Conway, 51, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison June 2014 on a charge of criminal negligence causing death.

While under the influence of drugs and alcohol and prohibited from driving, Conway ran over Veronica Doyle on Firdale Drive in Airport Heights in the early-morning hours of Oct. 24, 2013.

He did not call for help.

Blindsided

Doyle said she was shocked when she learned Conway was out on day parole. She was not notified by the Parole Board of Canada.

In order to be notified of upcoming hearings of parole board decisions, an application must be made first.

"I didn't know there was an application process, we didn't know there was an application process," Doyle said.

"We should have known that, it should have been told to us by somebody like whether it be Victim Services or the Department of Justice ... I think as the victim's family we deserve that much."

Doyle said the provincial Victim Services program told her, following Conway's sentencing, that the parole board would contact them.

"It's not OK we missed this opportunity. It's not OK that it's been two years and he's already out on day parole," she said.

"We'll never know if [our victim impact statements] would have made a difference and we definitely would have went."

Doyle said she has contacted her MHA and the Department of Justice to find the reason why there was a miscommunication.

"Something has to be done. I need to know why our family was not contacted when this monster was let out of prison." 

Release in 2016

According to the Parole Board of Canada, Conway was eligible for day parole on Oct. 19 and is eligible for full parole in six months.

While Conway is on parole, he is on conditions not to drink, do drugs or own or operate a vehicle. Conway also has to report any relationships with females to his parole supervisor and follow treatment plans for substance abuse and family violence.

A parole board review indicated Conway said he has taken responsibility for his actions and has had "an awakening of sorts."

Conway has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for impaired driving.