Parole Board Rejects Early Release for Trucker in Cindy Gladue Case
The Parole Board of Canada has denied early release to Bradley Barton, the Ontario trucker convicted of manslaughter in the 2011 death of Edmonton Indigenous woman Cindy Gladue. The 57-year-old will continue serving his 12.5-year sentence after the board determined he still takes limited responsibility for his actions and demonstrates concerning attitudes toward consent.
Details of the Parole Board Decision
In a decision released Thursday, the two-person parole panel rejected both day and full parole for Barton. The board noted that while Barton has made some progress toward rehabilitation, he continues to minimize his role in Gladue's death and maintains an oversimplified understanding of consent.
The board wrote: "You insisted that through the 'business arrangement' you made with the victim, you believed you had her consent, and you believed your actions were acceptable as you had engaged in similar sexual acts with her the previous day."
The panel expressed particular concern that Barton's understanding of consent remains "somewhat rigid" despite years of incarceration and programming opportunities. They noted his accountability for his crimes and rehabilitation potential have actually deteriorated during his time in prison.
Background of the Case
Bradley Barton was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Cindy Gladue, who died from a vaginal injury Barton inflicted during what the parole board described as a "highly invasive" sex act on June 21, 2011. The case has been marked by multiple legal proceedings and controversial elements.
Barton was initially acquitted of second-degree murder, but the Supreme Court overturned that verdict after finding inappropriate terms including "Native girl" and "prostitute" were used to describe Gladue during his first trial. The case gained additional notoriety when the Crown decided to display Gladue's preserved vaginal tissue in court as evidence.
Concerning Behavior During Incarceration
The parole board identified several troubling factors in their decision, including Barton's failure to complete sex offender programming and his continued use of pornography while incarcerated. During his trial, evidence revealed that before sexually assaulting Gladue, Barton had searched the internet for pornography involving ripped and torn vaginas.
The board noted: "While in prison, Barton had pornographic magazines in his cell and was suspected of being involved in an incident in which someone printed a large number of explicit images on the prison printer."
Criminal History and Pattern of Violence
Thursday's decision also examined Barton's broader criminal history, including a previously stayed assault charge from 1996. In that incident, Barton allegedly attempted to choke his common-law spouse while yelling "die, die, die" before throwing her against the front door of their residence.
The parole board concluded that Barton's pattern of behavior, combined with his limited progress in rehabilitation and concerning attitudes toward consent and accountability, made him unsuitable for early release at this time. The decision means Barton will remain incarcerated as he continues serving his sentence for the manslaughter conviction.
