A man convicted in the 1987 murder of of a 20-year-old University of Victoria student has been granted a further six months of day parole.

Scott Ian MacKay, 62, was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Marguerite Telesford, who was reported missing in January 1987 after she didn't return home from a morning jog. Her remains were never found.

The parole board's Feb. 27 decision found he presents an average risk for sexual and violent reoffending, and they noted MacKay's score on the statistical information on recidivism scale shows he falls within a group of offenders from which "two out of three will not commit [an] indictable offence after release."

MacKay's criminal history began in his early 20s when he was convicted of impaired driving, assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement offences. When he was sentenced for the murder of Telesford, he was serving a "lengthy sentence" for sexual assault and unlawful confinement.

"These convictions arose out of two 1986 incidents, in which you choked and sexually assaulted one sex trade worker and you also picked up another sex trade worker, drove around dangerously, and refused to let her leave your vehicle. The victim eventually jumped out of the vehicle and dodged out of the way because you accelerated towards her," noted the board's decision.

Though he claims he has no memory of the murder, the board says he confirmed he was "capable of committing murder" at that time of his life, and he has spoken about the murder to other inmates.

According to the board, he reported that he grew up surrounded by domestic abuse, bullying and alcohol abuse, and he was frequently left unsupervised by his mother and dropped out of school at 13.

"You report developing anger towards women as a result of your experience of abandonment and neglect," noted the board. "You began engaging in substance abuse, pornography use, and delinquent behaviour at an early age. You objectified women and victimized sex trade workers as a means of achieving sexual satisfaction and a sense of power."

The board reported that MacKay's behaviour in prison included "concerning" incidents of substance use, problematic associates, disrespectful outbursts and comments toward female staff and volunteers, involvement in the institutional subculture, smoking, and refusing to provide urinalysis samples.

Despite his behaviour, he successfully completed several correctional programs, including numerous escorted temporary absences, but his 2016 work release was cancelled due to the discovery of pornographic materials in his phone. He has also engaged in Indigenous courses as part of his rehabilitation, and according to an elder's report he has been on a "healing and ceremonial path" since 1993.

He was first granted day parole in March 2024 where he experienced troubles early in his release after police notified the public of his release and labelled him a "high-risk offender." As a result, he turned to misusing prescribed medication; he also had travelled to an "exclusion zone" where sex trade workers are known to be present, but he claimed his phone gave him incorrect directions.

MacKay currently works as a construction safety officer on a part-time basis in the Lower Mainland, where his supervisor has said he's a hard-working employee who gets along well with others.

"Reports indicate that there have not been any significant behavioural issues since the initial months of your release; your urinalysis tests have returned negative and there is no indication you have breached any release conditions or engaged in criminal activity or high-risk behaviours," noted the decision.

While on parole, MacKay is under conditions to not buy or consume drugs or alcohol, to follow his treatment plan in the areas of sexual deviancy, childhood trauma and substance abuse, to report all sexual and non-sexual relationships, not to be in the presence of sex trade workers or be in possession of pornography or sexually explicit material, not to own a motor vehicle, and not to contact his previous victims or family members of Telesford.

He will also be monitored by a local police high-risk offender unit.