Barrie, Ont. man who murdered wife with hammer 22 years ago granted unescorted leaves from prison

Michael Peteigney, serving a life sentence for murdering his wife 22 years ago has been granted unescorted absences from prison.

Warning: This article contains descriptions of intimate partner violence and details that may be disturbing to readers.

A Barrie, Ont. man serving a life sentence for murdering his wife 22 years ago, in front of their children, has been granted unescorted temporary absences from prison.

Michael Peteigney, 54, is another step closer to full parole, preparing for several unescorted leaves to be completed over the next 10 months at a halfway house.

Peteigney bludgeoned his wife, Irene, with a hammer in front of their young children in April 2004 and pleaded guilty three years later to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 14 years.

Despite considering Peteigney a high risk of future family violence, the Parole Board of Canada has granted the convicted murderer three unescorted temporary leaves: one for a week and two others for 15 days as Peteigney adjusts to life outside of prison, planning to one day be granted full parole.

• Ont. man serving life sentence for killing wife with hammer granted unescorted absences

Peteigney told Barrie police he killed his wife because she wanted to leave him.

Peteigney was arrested after drinking windshield washer fluid and putting a power drill to his head inside the Letitia Heights neighbourhood home he shared with Irene and their two little girls, who were found inside the home, steps from where Peteigney brutally killed their mother.

The parole board noted Peteigney faced several issues while in minimum security prison in 2019, when he was found with narcotics and a contraband Walkman. The board heard Peteigney also engaged in inappropriate behaviour with a female staff member, which led to the woman feeling uncomfortable and unsafe. As result, the parole board heard the woman left work and did not return.

The board said Peteigney has completed 70 escorted temporary absences without issue.

He will be ordered to return to the halfway house on a nightly basis and is not to consume alcohol or drugs or communicate with Irene’s loved ones.

As part of the terms of his release, Peteigney must report any and all relationships with women.

If you are a woman living in an abusive relationship or think you might be, you can call the Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie crisis line at 705-728-2544 and speak with a counsellor.