Killer of B.C. family appealing parole rejection

A man who admitted killing six members of a British Columbia family more than 25 years ago is appealing a decision to deny him parole, according to reports.

Michelle Botelho, a relative of the victims, said the family recently learned David Ennis was appealing the decision, the Red Deer Advocate reported.

Last October, the National Parole Board denied Ennis both day and full parole — his first request for parole since he was jailed more than 25 years ago.

Ennis had told the board during a hearing at Bowden Institution in central Alberta that he was sorry for the damage he caused and asked to be granted parole because he wanted to make a positive contribution to society.

He is eligible to reapply for parole in two years.

Ennis, who previously went by the name David Shearing, was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of two girls, their parents and grandparents.

British Columbia residents George and Edith Bentley, their daughter Jackie Johnson, son-in-law Bob and grandchildren Janet, 13, and Karen, 11, were last known to be camping in Wells Gray Park in the B.C. Interior in August 1982 before police launched a massive search for the family when they did not return home.

Police found the charred remains of the family's car on the side of a mountain about a month later. The family's bodies were inside.