Day parole extended for Hells Angels hitman

Day parole extended for Hells Angels hitman

Neil William Smith was convicted in the 2000 murder of Sean Simmons

It’s been nearly 26 years since Sean Simmons was gunned down in the lobby of a Dartmouth apartment building, and some of the men implicated in his murder are still making their way through the justice system.

Earlier this month, the Parole Board of Canada agreed to extend day parole for Neil William Smith for another six months.

Smith, Dean Daniel Kelsie and Wayne Alexander James were all given life sentences for the shooting death of Simmons in October 2000. Evidence at the various trials suggested Simmons’s murder had been ordered by a Hells Angel who accused Simmons of having an affair with his girlfriend.

Smith, 68, was arrested in April 2001, convicted of both conspiracy and first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2003.

At an earlier parole hearing, Smith said Simmons had allegedly stolen from him on three occasions.

“Allowing the victim to get away would have made you look weak in front of others and would result in others following suit,” the parole board stated in its most recent decision. “You were driven by ego and greed."

The parole board said Smith’s involvement with the Hells Angels was “persistent and serious” with no discernible gaps from 1987 through to 2003. The board rattled off a list of criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession for the purpose for trafficking and possession of gaming machines.

Smith was first released on day parole in August of last year. Prior to that, he had extensive temporary absences and, the board noted, the results were positive.

Smith has told the board he would like to find a part-time job for the sake of routine, but the board said that, as he’s now receiving federal pensions, work is not a necessity.

Both Kelsie and James are also now on day parole.

A fourth man, Steven Gareau, was also convicted — twice — of murder in Simmons’s death, but his conviction was stayed in 2024.

The board referenced submissions it received from Simmons’s family.

“They feel like they are living a life sentence. They do not believe that you can be rehabilitated or that you deserve parole.”

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Blair Rhodes has been a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 31 with CBC. His primary focus is on stories of crime and public safety. He can be reached at blair.rhodes@cbc.ca