Ont. woman convicted of torturing and killing Orillia man in 2010 granted limited freedom
Warning: Readers may find some details in this article disturbing.
A Coldwater woman convicted of brutally torturing and killing a man in 2010 has been granted a little more freedom.
Faye Higgins pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2013, years after Gord Evans' lifeless body was discovered inside the bathroom of his Orillia home with 18 stab wounds to his neck, back and chest and a ligature mark around his neck.
Higgins was sentenced to life behind bars with no chance of parole for 14 years after confessing the murder to undercover officers.
The Coldwater woman, now 54, has been granted day parole for six months at a community-based residential facility, pending a bed's availability.
She can apply for full parole in four years.
At the time of the murder, Higgins was a personal support worker caring for 58-year-old Evans, who lived with physical challenges.
The court heard she offered to give Evans a haircut in the bathroom and then tortured him for three hours before killing him.
At the time, Higgins said a boy known to both she and Evans claimed Evans sexually assaulted him while babysitting.
Those allegations were never proven in court.
The parole board noted Higgins took the law into her own hands that day in June 2010, "acted impulsively," and tortured and killed the victim, causing lasting harm to his family.
The board added she was driven by her emotions, "made poor decisions and did not consider the consequences" of her actions.
Last year, Higgins was psychologically assessed and deemed to be a low risk to re-offend.
Higgins, who had a history of criminal behaviour, including drug trafficking charges and assault, reported being "physically and verbally abused" by her past partners.
She must abide by a series of conditions, including ongoing anger management treatment, reporting relationships and friendships with men to her parole supervisor, and having no contact with the victim's family.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.