A former truck driver who was found guilty in the 2011 death of a woman in an Edmonton hotel room has been denied parole due to his violent past and ongoing efforts to downplay the severity of the crime. Bradley Barton, aged 57, 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 after a violent sexual encounter. Barton was sentenced to 11½ years in prison.
The Parole Board of Canada recently rejected Barton’s requests for full or day parole, expressing concerns about the potential risk to the community if he were to be released. The board criticized Barton for his disturbing and evasive comments regarding Gladue’s death, highlighting his lack of genuine remorse and attempts to justify his actions.
According to the parole report, Barton described feeling bored and lonely in the days leading up to Gladue’s death, attributing his actions to a misguided belief that their transactional relationship implied consent for dangerous sexual acts. Barton’s case underwent multiple trials and appeals before ultimately resulting in a manslaughter conviction in 2021.
Despite completing a rehabilitative program for sex offenders, Barton continues to exhibit concerning behaviors, including a lack of understanding of consent and a failure to acknowledge the need for addressing his sexual deviancy. The board noted Barton’s history of violence, citing past incidents of dismissed sexual assault and assault charges.
The board emphasized the profound impact of Barton’s actions on Gladue’s family and friends, highlighting the enduring grief and trauma experienced by her loved ones, particularly her three children. Barton’s parole release plan included residing in a community-based facility or with one of his sons, although his troubling behavior and lack of progress in rehabilitation remain a cause for concern.
