Richard Bergeron denied parole 40 years after police killings

A man in prison for killing two police officers 40 years ago in Moncton has been denied parole.

The board making the decision said Richard Joseph Bergeron — who changed his name from Richard Ambrose — is at risk of re-offending.

Bergeron and James Hutchison were sentenced to hang for the 1974 shootings of Const. Michael O'Leary and Cpl. Aurele Bourgeois in 1974.

The double slaying was so gruesome it stunned the community.

It started with the kidnapping of 14-year old Raymond Stein, the son of well-known restaurateur Cy Stein. Stein agreed to drop off a $15,000 ransom at a mall. His son was released safely.

Bourgeois and O'Leary were investigating that case and reported they were following a Cadillac. They were never heard from again.

Three days later their bodies were found in shallow graves just outside of Moncton. The killers had forced them to dig their own graves.

Their sentences were commuted to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years when Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976. 

Bergeron was granted parole in 2000, but it was revoked five years later after he assaulted his wife.

On Saturday, a wreath was laid at Victoria Park in memory of Const. Michael O'Leary and Cpl. Aurele Bourgeois.