A Barrie man who has been behind bars for murdering his estranged wife nearly 15 years ago was recently granted day parole.
Daniel Simon, now 61, was convicted of stabbing and killing Michelle Simon in June 2009. He has been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder.
The Parole Board of Canada granted a request for day parole for a six-month period, in a ruling filed April 25, according to documents obtained by BarrieToday.
Following a separation with his wife, Daniel Simon forced his way into her home on Mary Street. While there, he stabbed her multiple times, the documents reveal.
“You left the apartment and made attempts to hide your involvement by changing your clothes and discarding your blood-stained clothing in a dumpster nearby,” the board members wrote in their decision.
“When you returned, you asked a passerby to contact 911. Police attended and found the victim dead with lacerations to her body," they added in their decision.
Michelle Simon's cause of death was a stab wound to the left chest into the front wall of the heart, the documents show.
The building where the killing took place, south of Dunlop Street West, has since been demolished to make way for a highrise development.
Daniel Simon also had a lengthy criminal history, with numerous convictions, which include but are not limited to, mischief, robbery, weapons offences, assault and assaulting a peace officer.
Parole board members noted his history “demonstrates a blatant disregard for court-imposed sanctions and other release expectations. You violated probationary terms and committed new offences, often including violence.”
While on previous unescorted, temporary absences from prison prior to the murder, he was charged with assault, with allegations of gun involvement.
“You were again released on day parole and reached statutory release, but you were suspended after being involved in a fight with your wife,” board members said in their decision.
The parole board describes Simon, at that time, as having “limited insight into your offence cycle” and having “attitudes that are supportive of violence, and is a continuation of your propensity to engage in violence.”
They also note Simon’s institutional performance on past sentences was poor, with multiple disciplinary problems.
However, the board members agreed that his current institutional adjustment has been “relatively positive,” as he has been housed at a minimum-security facility for the last five-and-a-half years.
In that time, he has successfully completed three 72-hour unescorted temporary absences, known as UTAs, at a community-based residential facility (CBRF).
“While you had some minor challenges across these UTAs, your overall performance is described positively,” the board stated.
Simon’s release is described as a “strong, well-supported plan for day parole,” where he will reside at a CBRF, “where you garnered support … and indicated you would participate in recommended interventions, including meeting with an elder and attending counselling,” as he is a member of Algonquin First Nations.
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) recommended day parole be granted “as your risk is considered manageable with the proposed release plan and supervision strategy.”
CSC recommended full parole be denied, however, as it is considered premature.
Victim impact statements in 2017 and 2023 convey “the profound and lasting harm caused by your actions," highlighting "your extensive criminal record, including your explosive violence. The victim requests a geographic restriction,” the decision read.
Clinical observation from 2023 suggested Simon’s risk “may have been reduced to low due to core programming completion and your age. Your empathy for the victims and remorse over your actions form an important part of the changes you have made,” the board members said.
“All considered, the board believes you are well positioned to benefit from a day parole.”
Conditions of Simon’s release include immediately reporting all sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with females, and he is not to consume, purchase or possess alcohol or drugs.
Additionally, he must also meet with a "culturally appropriate" mental health professional to address childhood trauma and reintegration stressors.
Simon is to have no direct or indirect contact with any member of the victim's family, and must not enter the geographical areas of Napanee, Kingston and Brockville without prior written approval.
