Board Says Killer of Stefanie Rengel Poses ‘Undue Risk to Society’ as Reason Behind Denial of Parole – Toronto | The Canadian News

The Canadian Parole Board says David Bagshaw was denied parole in early October because he remains a “high-needs offender” and presents an “undue risk to society.”

Bagshaw has been in jail for nearly 14 years for the murder of 14-year-old Stefanie Rengel on New Years Day 2008. Bagshaw, then 17, lured Rengel out and repeatedly stabbed her outside the family home in East York.

He had been complying with the demands of his jealous girlfriend Melissa Todorovic, who was convicted of first degree murder in 2009 for orchestrating the murder. Both were sentenced as adults to life imprisonment.

At the time of the virtual ruling on October 4, Canada Parole Board member Savannah Gentile told Bagshaw that while he had made some progress, the board felt the 31-year-old still had to progress in assessing your risk.

On Monday, Global News received the Board’s full seven-page reasoning behind its decision to deny Bagshaw both the day and full probation. In its decision, the Board reviewed Bagshaw’s criminal record, which also included a violent crime while incarcerated.

He was also involved in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and falsely claimed to be the father of her fiancé’s children in a legal document.

The Board also took into account Rengel’s mother’s victim impact statement in which she stated that she continues to suffer from her loss and fears raising her other children.

The Board noted that while Bagshaw admitted to having better control of his anger issues, he said he still does not have full control over his emotions.

“He does not believe that he will have 100 percent control of his anger, but he is taking steps to control it,” the Board wrote, adding that Bagshaw admitted that he still struggles with “emotions, decision-making and impulsiveness.”

The Board noted that Bagshaw did not have a release plan. Additionally, Bagshaw had the support of his father and fiancée, but not his case management team for “any kind of probation.”

While the Board said Bagshaw has made progress during his incarceration: he has been employed “in a position of trust,” graduated from grade 12, adheres to his drug plan, and shows remorse for his crimes, which he agrees that he still Has a lot of work”. do to fully address [his] emotions “.

“He continues to have serious problems with his emotional regulations and what worries the Board the most is that he has not yet adequately addressed his anger issues, despite having completed programs and being incarcerated for a time.
long period of time. He continues to have trouble obsessing over relationships, similar to his index crime, ”the decision read.

“His continued institutional absences do not bode well for a successful reintegration. It remains a moderate risk of violent recidivism and has not yet made the necessary progress to mitigate the risk it presents. “

The Board concluded that Bagshaw presented an “undue risk to society if released” and was denied both day and full probation.

Bagshaw will be able to apply for parole again in two years. Todorovic was paroled in 2019, but weeks later his parole was revoked after violating one of the conditions of his release.