HUNTER: Sudbury cop killer edges closer to freedom

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Cop killer Peter Pennett is the last man standing.

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His buddy Clinton Suzack pegged out at a halfway house in February.

And Joe MacDonald? He’s been mourned for 31 years.

In a horrific confluence of events on Oct. 7, 1993, the two criminals encountered young Sudbury cop MacDonald, a father of two children, during a routine traffic stop.

Pennett and Suzack ambushed, pistol-whipped and then shot MacDonald, 29, to death. The two killers were quickly nabbed and in 1995 were sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years.

MacDonald was hit with seven bullets — including three in the back of his head.

But in the Canadian justice system, hope springs eternal for men like Peter Pennett, now 60.

On Oct. 11, the Parole Board of Canada said Pennett’s day parole had been extended. He was first granted day parole in October 2023, then extended six months in April 2024.

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As a bonus, Pennett was also given temporary unescorted daytime absences from the halfway house. No overnighters, though.

Pennett and Suzack were local low-rent rounders before that fateful night in 1993 that shattered multiple lives. Until then, Pennett’s criminal record list comprised property and drug crimes. There was no hint of the violence that would come.

In the Parole Board docs, the board said Pennett was a moderate risk of violent recidivism and a low-moderate risk of general recidivism.

“In making the decision to continue day parole, the Board notes the progress you have made on the two periods of day parole,” the report said.

“To your credit, you have adjusted well to the community after a long incarceration and there is no indication that you have breached conditions of release. Your primary focus has been acclimatizing to the community and completing programming.”

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However, the board torpedoed a bid for full parole, saying Pennett was not ready for that step. They described the convicted killer as a “multi-need individual.”

There were also a roster of tag-ons: No dope, no booze, no contact with the victims, and a certain person. He must also stay out of Sudbury.

The cold-blooded murder of MacDonald sent shockwaves through the Sudbury community. There are numerous tributes, scholarships and a youth football program, park and bridge bearing the young cop’s name.

“It hit everyone on the police force and around the community like a hammer,” former Sudbury Police chief Alex McCauley said of the murder in 2017.

“The MacDonald family has had no respite from this tragedy and this is something they’re going to carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

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But his widow Nancy was instrumental in initiatives in his honour that would doubtless save the lives of other cops.

On the night he died, MacDonald was able to empty his .38 revolver. But then he had to reload. MacDonald hit Suzack twice in the chest and Pennett in the hand.

Now, cops carry semi-automatics.

Of the two cop killers, Suzack was worse and boasted a particularly violent criminal CV. On the night of the murder, he had been recently paroled and was wanted for a violation. The duo were also carrying drugs.

Detectives never discovered if the fact he was wanted sent the situation spiralling out of control. But off the rails, it went.

A routine traffic stop quickly cascaded into murder.

Pennett the survivor, the last man standing, has been thrown a life preserver after 31 years.

And like a foul stench, another Canadian killer slouches quietly back into society.

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@HunterTOSun

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