‘Faint hope’ jury gives Brandon killer break on parole

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This article was published 09/04/2021 (1649 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A jury of nine women and three men has allowed convicted murderer Michael Bridges to apply for parole slightly earlier than he was originally sentenced to.

The jury found Bridges should be allowed to apply for parole in June 2026, three years earlier than the 2029 date he was originally sentenced to. The courtroom was silent when the lead juror announced the decision at the conclusion of the faint hope clause hearing.

The jury deliberated for four hours, returning with a verdict at approximately 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Bridges was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder for the killing of 18-year-old Erin Chorney by Justice John Menzies — the same judge overseeing the hearing — in 2005.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, the court heard how an argument broke out the night Bridges killed Chorney.

He choked her before putting her head underwater in a bathtub.

Bridges then buried Chorney’s body in another person’s grave. He wasn’t arrested until police set up a “Mr. Big” sting operation in 2005 when he confessed the crime to an undercover police officer while under the impression he was about to join a criminal organization.

He has served 17 years in prison at Stony Mountain Institution.

Speaking outside the courtroom after the verdict was read, Cynthia Chorney, Erin’s aunt, said there is nothing that can make up for the loss of Erin in their lives.

“Obviously, there is nothing one can do to make up for what happened. No sentence would ever be adequate,” she said

“Erin is always and will be missed.”

She said the family would also like to thank the Crown attorneys, Brandon Police Service, victim services and the RCMP.

The court heard from a range of people over the course of the hearing, including Bridges himself.

Bridges told the jury he is deeply sorry for the killing and has made significant changes in his life since being imprisoned in his early 20s. Defence lawyer Ryan Amy said Bridges is now 40 years old.

On the night he killed Erin and buried her in another person’s grave, he said he was experiencing “pure rage” and his bottled up emotions all came out at once, he testified.

He apologized to the Chorney family during an emotional round of questioning on Monday afternoon.

“I just want to tell her family how sorry I am, sorry that I robbed you of the chance of having Erin in your lives,” Bridges said through tears. He spoke with his head down but looked at Chorney’s family seated in the courtroom periodically.

“I saw how much she cared about you. She did not deserve to die. She was supposed to be here … to share her experiences with you.”

“You prayed for answers, you asked for help and you received none because I was too much of a coward to admit to what I did,” he told the court at the time.

Members of Erin’s family also testified earlier this week. Darcy Chorney, her father, said his daughter’s murder was the family’s worst nightmare.

Lesli, Erin’s sister, said her loss still felt to this day.

“Erin was more than the tragedy that happened to her. She was my sister and she was a daughter and a cousin and a niece,” she said.

Before being allowed full parole, Bridges would likely have to go through years of escorted temporary absences and day parole sessions from the prison, he testified. He told the court inmates are typically gradually reintroduced to society before full parole — if they get it.

The jury’s decision doesn’t mean Bridges will get parole in June 2026, just that he can make an application for it.

In the defence’s closing statement, lawyer Ryan Amy argued Bridges is a changed man since the night he killed Erin Chorney.

“Mr. Bridges has shown he is changed as a person, understands the harms he has caused and is ready for the next step, which cannot be completed while in custody,” Amy said while gripping the sides of the podium in front of him.

Bridges has undergone years of counselling in the federal institution and held down jobs in a number of roles.

While Bridges committed a horrible crime, Amy said he has paid the price and will continue to do so for the rest of his life. Bridges was sentenced to life in prison, so will be under conditions imposed by Correctional Services Canada until the day he dies.

“He was 21 when the murder occurred and 23 when he entered jail. He described himself as “an a–hole” when he entered the correctional system. That immature, selfish person no longer exists. the man before you today is very different than the boy who committed the crime and tried to cover it up,” he said.

Crown attorney Mark Lafreniere argued instances where Bridges acted poorly in prison or had conflicts are examples of how he has not learned to control his behaviour after 17 years.

In one example, he was defensive with a facilitator asking him about the crime.

“The best prediction of future behaviour is someone’s past actions or comments — what they have actually done … while Mr. Bridges has completed a number of things in custody, we cannot lose sight of that, it’s all while he’s been in custody, while he’s been under almost complete control.

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It is “guesswork” if Bridges has learned better ways and can keep himself from offending in the future, the Crown argued.

“We don’t know what he’ll do upon return to society, that’s the great unknown.”

Bridges will still serve more than five years in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @DrewMay_