The young Maple Ridge, B.C. man who dragged a screaming gas station attendant to his death over $12 in fuel has violated the conditions of his parole a second time, sending his victim's family into turmoil once more.
Darnell Pratt was convicted of manslaughter in 2005 and sentenced to nine years in prison after running down 24-year-old Grant de Patie with his car and dragging him for seven kilometres.
Pratt first received statutory release in June 2010, but his freedom was revoked less than 48 hours later when he failed to show up for curfew. The 22-year-old was released again last week.
On Saturday night, Grant's father Doug de Patie received a phone call informing him that Pratt had again failed to meet his parole conditions.
"He's making a mockery of the justice system and the parole system," de Patie told CTV News. "It's hard on my family, my wife and kids, and I think it's actually hard on everybody even in the community to think this is where our justice system leaves us."
According to the parole board, Pratt used drugs and alcohol while in prison, is mentally unstable and has a violent temper – but authorities had no choice but to release him because he's served more than two thirds of his sentence.
He has been living in a Victoria halfway house since his second release, but failed to return on Saturday night. His whereabouts are unknown.
De Patie attended one of Pratt's parole hearings last year, and says he fears what the young convict will do before he's caught again.
"His plans were to make it back to Maple Ridge to his family," de Patie said. "He was asked, ‘How would you do that?' And he said, ‘Well, either I'd take a bus or I'd steal a car.'"
"At this point, to me, he's shown no signs of remorse," he said. "He needs to be locked up."
More than a dozen conditions were placed on Pratt's second release, including that he receive psychological counselling to address his mental health issues. He is also not allowed to stay out overnight, take drugs or drink alcohol.
The parole board noted that Pratt, who was 16 at the time of De Patie's death, had a very unstable upbringing and was exposed to parental violence and drug abuse.
While in prison, Pratt fought with prisoners and verbally abused staff, according to board documents. Even before he was convicted he assaulted another inmate who needed stitches on his face and chin.
De Patie's death was instrumental in the government passing Grant's Law, which forces drivers to pay for gas before it's pumped.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Pratt, who is described as 5-10 tall, 175 lbs. with short black hair and brown eyes. He has several tattoos, including two on his left forearm that say "Taken No Orders" and "Run tha Hood."
Anyone who sees Pratt is advised not to approach him, but to call 911 immediately.
