Justin Brandon Anderson seeks jury hearing to reduce parole ineligibility in 2005 murder
Convicted hitman's case advances to screening stage after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in 2009.
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Justin Brandon Anderson, a convicted assassin who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Calgary, is moving forward with an application for a jury hearing that could reduce his parole ineligibility.
Anderson, 47, is seeking a so-called faint hope hearing — a legal option available to murderers sentenced to parole ineligibility periods exceeding 15 years under provisions of the Criminal Code that have since been abolished but still apply to pre-December 2011 crimes.
On July 9, Crown and defence lawyers appeared in Calgary Court of King's Bench to commence the first stage of the proceeding. Prosecutor Peter Mackenzie said he has received materials relating to Anderson's case and said it can now proceed to a judge for a "desk review" to determine if the killer is a suitable candidate for a jury hearing. Both prosecutors and defence counsel indicated this is part of the screening process. If the review determines Anderson has a chance at convincing a jury to reduce his parole ineligibility, a hearing will be scheduled. Mackenzie asked that the case be adjourned until December 18 to allow the desk review to be completed and a decision date to be set.
Anderson ambushed Calgary drug dealer Jaspreet Singh Rahal on January 4, 2005, as Rahal emerged from a Gold's Gym. He pleaded guilty in April 2009 to first-degree murder after a ruling that statements he gave to undercover police officers were admissible. Anderson was arrested on January 6, 2006, and sentenced to life in prison without parole eligibility for a minimum of 25 years.
His first eligibility window for a faint hope application was in 2021, but he did not seek a jury hearing at that time. His second window opened this year, and the application was commenced.
