Ellard to forego parole hearing

The National Parole Board says Kelly Ellard is choosing not to go ahead with an upcoming parole hearing.

The board said Ellard submitted a waiver indicating she does not wish to be considered for parole at this time, and it has set a new date of February 2011.

Ellard was convicted in 2005, after three trials, of second-degree murder in the 1997 death of Victoria teen Reena Virk, 14. Last month, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned a B.C. Court of Appeal decision that threw out the conviction, refusing to order a new trial.

She was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for seven years, but the case has gone on so long that Ellard has already served that time.

The parole board said there are many reasons why offenders might postpone or cancel their hearing, such as wanting to complete a treatment program or obtain support from caseworkers.

Virk was killed after an altercation with a group of teens in a park in Saanich, near Victoria, in 1997.

Ellard was 15 when Virk was drowned and beaten by a group of teenagers.

Six other girls, age 14 to 16, were convicted in 1998 of assaulting Virk and given sentences of up to a year in jail.

Warren Glowatski was convicted in 1999 of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for at least seven years. He was granted day parole in 2007.