JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence that may be disturbing to some readers.
A BC man serving time for murder caused a stir at McGill University in Montreal.
Jeffrey Ewart has been attending law school at the university since September and not all students are thrilled to share a class with a convicted murderer.
Ewert, now in his 60s, was convicted in the 1980s of second-degree murder and attempted murder involving violent attacks carried out in British Columbia on two female victims, one of whom was 15 years old.
Ewert spent 40 years in federal prison and was granted parole in 2025. News of his studies spread in early October and he has been banned from campus since.
Former prosecutor and retired judge, Rick Miller, told Global News that Ewart was “as bad as it gets.”
“This man was the most brutal and evil person I have ever dealt with,” he said.
Miller said he still remembers charging Ewart 40 years ago with murder and attempted murder.
Get daily National news
Get Canada’s daily news stories delivered to your inbox so you never miss the day’s top stories.
In 1984, Ewert strangled a 19-year-old woman unconscious, sexually assaulted her and then dumped her in the Fraser River, where she was later found dead.
Six weeks later, Miller said Ewert strangled a 15-year-old girl unconscious in her foster parents’ basement in Surrey, took her to a drainage ditch, where he left her to die after her head hit the pavement as he dragged her out.
He survived, but was paralyzed for life with severe brain damage.
Ewert was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
“Ewert has entered an insanity defense in both cases,” Miller said. “The psychiatrist that the Crown contacted said that was not true, that he was actually a psychopathic killer.”
Ewert appealed and the first-degree murder conviction was overturned and a new trial was ordered.
Ewert later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and Miller said the judge in the case thought Ewert would endanger his entire life so he recommended that parole never allow his release from prison.
However, after serving 40 years, Ewert was granted parole last year.
Opinions about Ewert studying at McGill have divided students.
Student Leah Kropf told Global News, “It’s scary and unbelievable,” that many students apply and don’t get accepted, but Ewert was accepted.
“I believe in second chances. I believe in rehabilitation,” said McGill student Ines Keita. “People make mistakes and I also feel that if he is released, he deserves to get rehabilitation, do something with his life and get an education.”
But student Isabelle Munoz said she wasn’t comfortable with the idea. “I wouldn’t feel safe being in the same class as him, I wouldn’t feel safe being on campus near him,” he said.
McGill told Global News that privacy laws prevent them from discussing individual student cases, but said student safety and security is paramount.
The university also said it would actively review the admissions process to ensure a similar situation does not occur again.
In a letter sent to students over the weekend, the McGill administration said it remains committed to second chances and the power of education to change lives. It also said that student safety is a top priority and the matter is being reviewed by the university.
“I always took comfort in the belief and understanding that he would remain in custody until he died, but then he didn’t,” Miller said.
-with files from Alessia Simona Maratta and Amanda Jelowicki
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
