Thatcher's new marriage no concern: parole board

Colin Thatcher — the former Saskatchewan politician convicted of murdering his ex-wife — has married again and so far it appears there are no problems, the National Parole Board says.

Thatcher was convicted of first-degree murder after killing ex-wife JoAnn Wilson in 1983 and was sentenced to life in prison.

After being paroled in 2006, he went to live with his family near Moose Jaw.

Information about his recent marriage was contained in a decision released Tuesday by the National Parole Board.

The board has decided to eliminate one of Thatcher's parole conditions: that he report all romantic relationships to his parole officer.

"For over three years, you have been in the community on full parole, with no concerns noted. During this period you remarried and there have been no issues noted," the report says.

"From all appearances and file information, the marriage identifies no concerns from both your new wife and family. Therefore the board removes the condition to report all romantic relationships."

Thatcher is coming up on his first anniversary, the parole board said.

The board said it will continue to require Thatcher to participate in psychological counselling as directed by a clinician.

It said that decision is appropriate "given your violent offence against a former marriage partner, having recently entered into a new marriage relationship and the pressures which may be related to decisions concerning revenues from the publication of your book."

Thatcher has been in court over the past year after the Saskatchewan government moved to seize profits from his new book.

In Final Appeal: Anatomy of a Frame, Thatcher argues he was framed for the murder of Wilson.

In response, the government passed a law that prevents criminals from profiting from "recounting their crimes."

A Saskatchewan Queen's Bench judge ruled the law was not unconstitutional.

Thatcher recently agreed to remit his book profits to the province, starting with a cheque for $5,000.

The son of a former Saskatchewan premier, Thatcher was elected to the provincial legislature for a third time in 1982. He was appointed minister of energy and mines, a position he resigned four days before Wilson was murdered.