'He’s done great things': incarcerated Windsorite works to make prison more culturally sensitive for fellow inmates
The ‘faint hope’ hearing of Ali Al-Shammari, 38, continued Tuesday in Superior court.
Al-Shammari is asking a jury – now down to 13 people – for the chance to apply for parole five years sooner than his sentence currently allows.
He was sentenced to life in prison in December 2007 for the November 2004 murder of Thualfikar Alattiya, 41, who was stabbed to death in the backseat of his taxi cab.
Al-Shammari’s mandatory sentence means he can’t ask for parole until 2029.
Since April 8, his lawyers have been presenting evidence to support a request for early parole, called a ‘faint hope hearing’ in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Cheryl Dillon, an employee of Beaver Creek Institution testified remotely Tuesday from the minimum security wing of the facility in Gravenhurst, Ont.
That is where Al-Shammari is currently incarcerated.
Dillon is in charge of the canteen at the prison and she told the jury Al-Shammari has been working for the last three years to make “ethnic products” available for purchase.
“He was just trying to look out for the Muslim population,” Dillon said. “He’s done great things.”
Dillon said Al-Shammari was also “instrumental” in developing what she called a “Ramadan bag” for inmates who are Islamic.
Before this, Dillon said there was only the typical “holiday drive” during the Christmas season.
Dillon told the jury inmates at Beaver Creek have access to the canteen every two weeks.
Inmates have $200 to spend per year and they have 125 items to choose from, according to Dillon.
Correction
Correction: The correct spelling is Alattiya, not Alantiyya.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street