Judge refers Nova Scotia murderer to restorative justice program in provincial first

HALIFAX – A Nova Scotia judge has referred a convicted murderer to a restorative justice program — a first for the province.

In a decision released Tuesday, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Kevin Coady stressed that the referral will have no impact on the life sentence Brandon Jake Hollohan received March 21 when he was convicted of second-degree murder in the January 2018 death of Deborah Irene Yorke.

Coady said any evidence generated by the restorative justice process may be considered at Hollohan’s parole eligibility hearing, but it will not dictate an outcome, as the principles of sentencing will apply.

The hearing in September will determine when Hollohan will be eligible to apply for parole, which by law must be between 10 and 25 years.

The judge said in his decision that the focus of this referral is Hollohan’s rehabilitation and his re-entry into society upon completion of his sentence.

The decision says Yorke’s relatives have yet to decide their involvement in the restorative justice process.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2022.

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