A Surrey woman who plotted to have her estranged ex-husband killed more than five years ago has been granted full parole.
Liza Joylene Belcourt was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in 2011 and sentenced to six years in jail for paying two men $10,000 to shoot her ex, Richard Noniewicz. The men she hired were found guilty of the same charge.
It was 2009 when police told a shocked Noniewicz that Belcourt was planning to have him killed. The two had been together for about two-and-a-half years and have a son together. They were separated and in the midst of a bitter custody battle when the murder conspiracy was uncovered by Vancouver Police.
Belcourt began serving her five-year, four-month prison term (she received credit for time in pre-trial custody) in March 2012.
Belcourt, who has no prior criminal record, was granted day parole about a year ago, during which time things have gone smoothly, according to Parole Board of Canada documents.
Two months ago, the board granted Belcourt full parole, saying it appeared she's "seen the error of her ways" and has demonstrated she's committed to turning her life around.
"You acknowledge that you have caused 'immense' harm to both your ex-husband and your mutual child and have sincerely apologized the same," the release decision reads. "You have realized that your victim was a good father to your son but that you were so consumed by hatred towards him (the victim), that this impaired your ability to make rational decisions."
Belcourt is now 37 and according to parole documents, has a boyfriend and has landed a part-time job.
She is not to consume alcohol or drugs or associate with anyone involved in criminal activity and must immediately report all intimate relationships with males while on parole. She also may not contact Noniewicz, other than when necessary for parental obligations or legal matters.
"Your victim has a right to feel safe and to not have any unwanted contact with you," the parole decision states. "Any contact may re-traumatize him and/or cause conflict which could elevate your risk to re-offend."
Noniewicz calls Belcourt's release a "slap in the face" by the criminal justice system.
"As I am a supposed victim, the real victim is my son," he said.