A man convicted as an accessory in the brutal slaying of former St. Albert resident David Wong had his statutory release denied last week and will not be released from prison.
Jason Costouros pleaded guilty in October 2008 for his role in the slaying. Costouros and three other men were found inside an Edmonton department in February 2007 in the process of dismembering Wong's remains.
The parole board's decision delays Costouros's statutory release, which would have taken place in October. Prisoners normally receive release at the two-thirds mark of their sentence and it is generally automatic.
In this case, Corrections Canada made the request because of Costouros's violent and aggressive behaviour that began well before his involvement in Wong's death and appears to have continued, even while he has been in jail.
The parole board's decision lists a string of assaults both in and outside of prison and death threats that Costouros has committed against guards, other inmates and associates outside of prison.
It also details the weapons he has used in his various attacks, including his fists and boots, as well as a knife, a chair and a metal rod. He has also set fires during riots at some of the several prisons he has been lodged in.
In denying his release, the parole board wrote there was little indication he had done anything to change his behaviour.
"You are a criminally entrenched individual who has chosen to continually associate with negative peers and a lead a negative and violent lifestyle," they wrote. "If released, you are likely to commit an offence causing serious harm or death to another individual."
The report said Costouros seems to take some satisfaction out of using violence and uses it to get what he wants.
"You have admitted to enjoying the sensation of adrenalin and power that you derive from inflicting violence upon your victims."
New insight
The parole board report also details more information about Wong's death. Wong was killed as a result of 158 stab wounds and, while Costouros and the three others were charged for their role in trying to dispose of his remains, no one has been charged with the man's murder.
The parole board report also suggests that Wong's death was about organized crime and the drug trade.
"You are a drug supplier for street level dial-a-dopers, and it is alleged that the victim's death would result in you and your co-accused obtaining a higher standing with respect to the supply and distribution of narcotics in this region."
The parole board will now conduct annual reviews for Costouros to determine if he should be released in the future until his original four-and-a-half-year sentence has completely expired.
