Parole board denies release of American who killed New Brunswick cop in 1987

Published February 2, 2022 at 12:37 pm

FREDERICTON — A killer who has spent nearly 35 years in prison for the murder of a New Brunswick police officer has been denied full parole.

Anthony Romeo, who is now 58, is serving a life sentence for the shooting of highway patrol Const. Emmanuel Aucoin during a traffic stop in March 1987, southwest of Fredericton.

Romeo became eligible for full parole in 2012, but the Parole Board of Canada said at the time that he still posed a risk to the public.

During a parole hearing today, the board was told that if released, Romeo would be deported to his native United States, where he would be a free man and not subject to any parole or supervision.

A parole officer told the hearing that while Romeo has been taking his medication for paranoid schizophrenia and making use of treatment and supports, the Correctional Service of Canada recommended against his release.

After a short deliberation, the board denied parole, and said it felt Romeo would still pose an undue risk to society if released.