A self-proclaimed white supremacist who curb-stomped a man to death in Calgary has been granted 60-day unescorted release in Victoria.
Robert David Reitmeier was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 for his role in the murder of 47-year-old Mark Mariani three years earlier.
According to the Victoria Buzz, Reitmeier was being held at the William Head Institution, a minimum-security facility is located 27 km southwest of the city. His release was granted under a new inmate re-integration process, though the exact conditions he must abide by were not released, save for attending a program four days per week.
When asked how he would spend the rest of his two months of freedom, Reitmeier reportedly said he wanted to explore the city and work out.
The incident in question took place on October 3, 2010. Mariani, who suffered from Crohn's Disease, was emptying his ostomy bag in a downtown Calgary alley where Reitmeier and another man, Tyler Sturrup, were spray painting graffiti.
The duo, both of whom were members of the white supremacist Western European Bloodline group, approached Mariani and without provocation, began beating him up. He was left with a fractured skull and ribs, and had just enough energy to crawl back to his vehicle, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Reitmeier and Sturrup were arrested, though only the latter pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. It was only three year after the killing that Reitmeier was finally convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no change of parole for 13 years.
He will be eligible for full parole in December 2026.
