A former truck driver who was found guilty of causing the death of a woman in an Edmonton hotel room in 2011 has been denied parole due to his troubling history of violence and dishonesty. The Parole Board of Canada rejected Bradley Barton’s requests for full or day parole, emphasizing concerns about the risk his release would pose to the community.
Barton, now 57 years old, was convicted of manslaughter in the death of Cindy Gladue, a 36-year-old Métis and Cree woman who bled to death in a hotel bathtub following a violent sexual encounter. He was sentenced to serve 11½ years for the crime.
The board expressed unease over Barton’s attempts to downplay the seriousness of the offense and his continued justifications for the tragic incident. They described his behavior as disturbing and evasive, noting his failure to seek timely medical help for the victim, which could have potentially saved her life.
Barton’s parole report revealed that he attributed Gladue’s death to a supposed “business arrangement” that he believed implied consent for dangerous sexual acts. The case underwent lengthy legal proceedings, involving two trials and multiple appeals before his manslaughter conviction in 2021.
Despite completing a rehabilitative program for sex offenders, Barton displayed ongoing dangerous behaviors, including a lack of understanding of consent and a tendency to rationalize his actions. The report indicated a regression in his progress towards rehabilitation and highlighted his history of violence, including past allegations of sexual assault and partner violence.
The board emphasized the lasting impact of Barton’s actions on Gladue’s loved ones, as detailed in victim impact statements submitted during the trial. The accounts vividly conveyed the profound grief and sorrow experienced by her family and friends, particularly her three children who will continue to grapple with the trauma of their loss for years to come.