Nozzles Gas Bar murderer's day parole extended

The Parole Board of Canada has extended day parole for Terry Douglas Kennedy, one of the two men who committed the 1991 murder of Yvonne Rouleau at Nozzles Gas Bar in downtown Kingston.

In a decision dated Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, the Parole Board ordered that Kennedy’s day parole continue for an additional six months. Kennedy was first granted day parole in July 2025 after more than three decades in custody. The Board found that his risk to the public remains manageable under strict supervision and that continued conditional release supports public safety through gradual reintegration.

Kennedy and his accomplice, Richard Charles Joyce, were convicted in 1992 of the heinous murder of Yvonne Rouleau at Nozzles Gas Bar (which has now been closed for decades) in downtown Kingston. Kennedy was an employee at Nozzles at the time.

Rouleau was a 34-year-old wife and mother who operated the successful gas bar at the busy intersection of Princess and Division Streets. Joyce and Kennedy tortured Rouleau to force her to open the floor safe at the gas bar, before ultimately cutting her throat and leaving her to die, according to court records. 

The Parole Board described how, on the day of the murder, “[Kennedy] ripped out the phone cord and the panic alarm before beating and stabbing the female victim while forcing her to empty the safe.” The attack involved “loss of life in the most violent of ways,” and the Board said this was identified as a significant aggravating factor in its assessment. 

Witnesses later told police they had overheard Kennedy prior to the offence discussing plans to rob a gas station, and evidence linking him to the crime was found in residences associated with him and his co-accused. Cash, bloody clothing, and the murder weapon were found in the homes of the two men.

The case shocked the Kingston community, particularly after it was revealed that Kennedy served as a pallbearer at Rouleau’s funeral before his arrest.

Kennedy was sentenced to life imprisonment with parole eligibility set at 25 years. The sentencing judge also imposed a lifetime weapons prohibition. An application for judicial review filed in 2011 was denied. Correctional Service of Canada has classified the offence as meeting the statutory definition of “serious harm,” citing the severe physical and psychological consequences of the crime.

Victim impact statements and letters from community members remain on file with the Board. It noted in its decision that “these submissions relay the significant emotional and psychological trauma experienced by the family of the victim as well as the profound loss experienced by the immediate community of friends and acquaintances surrounding her.”

In assessing Kennedy’s current risk, the Board noted that it had reviewed both aggravating and mitigating factors. It noted that at the time of the offence, Kennedy was experiencing “financial and emotional stress,” had “escalating alcohol use,” and demonstrated “poor judgment, impulsivity, and a lack of consequential thinking.” The Board found these factors contributed to the “extreme violence” of the crime: “Your offending was representative of your poor judgment and problem-solving, lack of consequential thinking, impulsivity, negative associates and the use of extreme violence.”

“These speak to your significant and incredibly consequential lack of self-control at the time,” the decision reads.

The Board also reviewed Kennedy’s institutional history, which included substance use and disciplinary issues earlier in his sentence. Over time, however, his institutional behaviour improved, the Board said, and he eventually cascaded to minimum security. The Board characterized his institutional conduct overall as a “neutral factor,” neither increasing nor reducing his current risk assessment.

Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) recommended that day parole be continued, stating that Kennedy’s risk can be managed through structured release and supervision. CSC cited Kennedy’s program participation, improved behaviour, and the successful completion of institutional and community absences as supporting factors.

Kennedy did not submit written representations for the review.

The Board’s decision included the imposition of several special conditions that will remain in effect for the duration of his release. These include a prohibition on consuming, purchasing, or possessing alcohol; mandatory psychological counselling to address emotional issues and reintegration stressors; financial disclosure to his parole supervisor on a monthly basis; and a requirement to seek or maintain employment or pursue academic upgrading. He is also prohibited from contacting the victim’s family or associating with individuals involved in criminal activity. 

The Board noted that financial disclosure and employment requirements are particularly important given the financial motive underlying the original offence, and it emphasized that structured employment and oversight can help reduce risk and support lawful reintegration.

All of these conditions are intended to manage risk, provide structure, and support public safety while Kennedy remains in the community on day parole, the decision noted.

In concluding its decision, the Board stated that continued day parole would contribute to the protection of society by facilitating Kennedy’s gradual reintegration while allowing for close monitoring and control. The decision to continue day parole was unanimous.

Richard Joyce was denied both full parole and Escorted Temporary Visits (ETA) at his last parole hearing on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.