20th anniversary of McDonald's murders

Monday marked the 20th anniversary of one of the most notorious crimes in Nova Scotia's history.

On May 7, 1992 three McDonald's employees were murdered and a fourth was left disabled after a botched robbery.

On Monday, the relatives of one victim say the justice system has failed in this case.

Neil Burrough's sisters and his brother gathered on Sunday afternoon — 20 years to the day after he headed to work at the Sydney River McDonald's and never returned.

Burroughs, 29,  and co-workers Donna Warren, 22, and Jimmy Fagan, 27, were gunned down there, Arleen McNeil, 20, was shot in the head and left disabled.

Cathy Burroughs said this anniversary is just one more painful day.

"He's not here. We can't pick up the phone, we can't talk to him, we can't get together with him. So, it's the same thing every day," she said.

In the middle of her kitchen table sits a pile of documents from the parole board. The Buroughs family has been to five board hearings for killer Darren Muise.

Muise, who was 18 at the time of the murders, is now days away from full parole. He was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 20 years for his part in the murders.

Joey Burroughs said that only adds to the family's pain.

"His murderer's … celebrating his getting out of jail card and I just have a hard time with that. I don't think he should be allowed out," he said.

As for how he plans to mark this anniversary, Joey Burroughs said he will spend some time at his brothers grave as he does at this time every year.

Derek Wood and Freeman MacNeil are still behind bars for their part in the murders. They were given life sentences with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.