Parole Board grants temporary day parole to one of the 1991 Nozzles Gas Bar murderers

By Michelle Dorey Forestell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Kingstonist

One of the men convicted in one of Kingston’s most brutal and disturbing crimes has been granted day parole.

According to a decision published in the Parole Board of Canada’s public registry, Terry Douglas Kennedy, now 55, will be released to a community-based residential facility for six months of day parole under strict conditions. Kennedy is serving a life sentence for the 1991 first-degree murder of his boss at a local gas station.

Kennedy and Richard Joyce were convicted in 1992 of the heinous murder of Yvonne Rouleau at Nozzles Gas Bar (which has been closed for decades) in downtown Kingston. 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’s decision acknowledges the "violent and horrendous nature" of the murder. Kennedy and Joyce attempted to cover their tracks by removing the panic alarm and phone cord and hiding the victim's body, which the victim’s sister later discovered. They were arrested after police recovered evidence --- including cash, bloody clothing, and the murder weapon --- from their homes and garbage.

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

At sentencing, Kennedy was declared eligible for parole after 25 years and received a lifetime ban on possessing weapons.

Victim impact and community concerns

The board noted that multiple victim impact statements and letters from community members remain on file. These documents describe the ongoing emotional and psychological trauma experienced by the victim’s family and the wider community.

In its decision, the board said it considered this harm “significant” and “lasting,” and that it took into account Kennedy’s choice not to return to the Kingston area, in part to avoid retraumatizing those affected.

Behaviour behind bars

Kennedy has been incarcerated for more than 30 years. Early in his sentence, he admitted to producing and selling homemade alcohol inside the penitentiary. However, the report notes that since 2012, he has demonstrated improved behaviour, “cascaded to minimum security,” and successfully participated in work releases and volunteer programs.

A recent psychological risk assessment concluded that Kennedy presents a low risk for violent or general reoffending, and recommended day parole with ongoing support.

Conditions for release

As part of his release, Kennedy must follow several conditions, including:

• No contact with the victim’s family or individuals involved in criminal activity;
• No consumption of alcohol, which was a factor in his past behaviour;
• Ongoing psychological counselling to manage emotional issues and the stress of reintegration after decades in prison;
• Regular financial reporting to a parole officer to avoid falling into financial instability, a factor that contributed to the original crime.
• Employment or training participation, unless medically exempted.

During his parole hearing, Kennedy stated that he plans to pursue vocational training and eventually find work in a skilled trade.

Board’s reasoning

In its final assessment, the Parole Board wrote that while Kennedy’s crime continues to carry heavy weight, his improved behaviour, participation in rehabilitation programs, and structured release plan outweigh the risk factors.

According to his most recent Correctional Plan Update (CPU), Kennedy’s “accountability, motivation level, and reintegration potential are assessed as medium.”

At intake, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) identified contributing factors to Kennedy's criminal behaviour and assessed him with “considerable difficulty” in the areas of employment, marital/family, substance abuse, community functioning, and personal/emotional, as well as some difficulty in the area of attitude. According to his most recent CPU, CSC has reassessed his level of need in these areas as “moderate need” in the areas of associates and personal/emotional, and “low need” in the areas of employment, marital/family, substance abuse, community functioning, and attitude.

“There is little doubt that your inability to control your behaviour at the time of the index offence is a significant aggravating factor,” the Parole Board wrote. “However, over the course of your incarceration, you have learned to regulate your behaviour... and your recent actions indicate a level of comfort in the community not seen before.”

The board concluded that Kennedy’s risk is manageable under supervision and that day parole will help support his safe reintegration into society.

The decision comes nearly two years after Kennedy's partner in the murder, Richard Joyce, was denied a similar request for day parole.