Randy Evan Penner

1956 - 2004  (48 years)

• Name	Randy Evan Penner
  Born	1956  [1]
  Gender	Male
  Crime	murdered
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50561046
  Interesting	murdered
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-454312
  Died	20 Feb 2004	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Buried	Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Person ID	I454312	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	David Penner,   b. 1930,   d. 18 Sep 2012, Barrie, Simcoe Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)
  Mother	Lois Wittie,   d. 11 Apr 2019, Midland, Tay Twp., Simcoe Co., Ontario
  Family ID	F284535	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Appeal court upholds parole in double murder case KITCHENER - A Kitchener man who savagely murdered two members of a Kitchener house church must serve 21 years in prison before he can seek parole, Ontario's highest court has confirmed. KITCHENER - A Kitchener man who savagely murdered two members of a Kitchener house church must serve 21 years in prison before he can seek parole, Ontario's highest court has confirmed. The Ontario Court of Appeal has rejected a bid by Michael Sirois to have his period of parole ineligibility reduced to 16 to 18 years. The decision, published this week, means Sirois, 32, cannot seek parole until February, 2025. Sirois was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 for the murders of 87-year-old Verna Bast, and her 47-year-old boarder, Randy Penner, on Feb. 20, 2004. Sirois attacked the pair, who were members of a church group he attended as a child, after knocking on the door of Bast's Glasgow Street home in Kitchener. He easily overpowered Bast who was frail and nearly blind, stabbing her four times in a frenzy. He stabbed Penner 25 times, including through both of his eyes. Sirois blamed Verna Bast and members of her small house church for influencing his parents to raise him too strictly. He claimed his parents, who were once members of the group, had ruined his life as a child. Sirois pleaded guilty in 2007 to two counts of second-degree murder, plus assault and assault causing bodily harm for attacks on Penner and another boarder several weeks before the murders. A trial was held to determine whether he should be found not criminally responsible, due to mental illness. Superior Court Justice Pat Flynn not only found him morally responsible, but ruled he couldn't apply for parole for 21 years, which was three years more than the prosecutor had asked for. Flynn cited the savageness of the double killings, Sirois' lack of remorse, his poor prospects for rehabilitation and his future danger to the community. He concluded that Sirois, who called himself a Satanist, was an angry avenging psychopath who knew what he was doing despite his illness. The appeal court found no reason to overturn Flynn's decision. " . . . It is evident that the trial judge did not consider the Crown's position on parole to reflect a fit period of ineligibility,'' the court said. "We do not agree that the trial judge unreasonably over-emphasized the brutality of the crimes, or described them in overly emotional language.'' The court noted Sirois raised no new issues to consider at the appeal. Verna Bast's son, Phil Bast, said Wednesday that the appeal court found no error in Flynn's decision. "It was the right thing, in this case,'' he said. "What that reflects, in my mind, is the thoroughness and competence of Judge Flynn in formulating his decision. "He did not take anything lightly. He was very thorough in his analysis and his rationale. "He was making a statement, obviously, about the nature of the crime and what he considers to be the rehabilitative status of (Sirois).'' Sirois will have the right to request a parole hearing some day, Bast said. His family will be there to "ensure the memory of the victims is present and spoken for. "That's a burden that we have as a family. I'll be passing that burden on to my son,'' he said. "All we can do is say we believe he's a danger to society.'' Sirois' lawyer, Monte MacGregor, argued before the appeal court that Flynn placed undue emphasis on retribution. He also said Flynn was "blinded by the emotion and horrific nature of this case.'' Sirois has 14 years left to serve before he's eligible for parole in 2025. It's not automatic, however. The parole board can refuse to release him, possibly for life. Sirois will be eligible to apply for day parole and unescorted temporary absences in February, 2022, three years before his full parole eligibility. But he would have to undergo a risk assessment and present a release plan before the board would consider such a request, said parole board spokesperson Carol Sparling. dwood@therecord.com https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/appeal-court-upholds-parole-in-double-murder-case/article_ba9e1fc4-1d6c-5a65-af85-a09d92452161.html? _____________ PENNER, Randy Evan - Suddenly, and tragically at his home in Kitchener, on Friday, February 20, 2004, age 47 years.Beloved son of Dave and Lois Penner of Waubeschene. Dear brother of Greg and wife Louise of Shanty Bay, twin brother of Robin and wife Sandy of Burnaby, B.C., brother of Terry and wife Nancy of Kitchener, Jeffery of Kitchener, Danny and wife Gin of Kitchener. Randy will be missed by his nieces and nephews, Douglas, Michael, Rebecca, Stephen, Jessica, Christine, Christopher, Bradley and Elizabeth who will always remember the time he devoted to them, making each one feel special. Randy will also be lovingly remembered by his many friends and relatives.Randy graduated from the University of Guelph in 1980 with a double major in languages and art. He was a professional artist and used his talent to teach children and adults. As a high school student, he designed the Woolwich Township crest. He was a kind and gentle person who was generous with his time and energy in helping others. He loved children, and spent many hours with his nieces and nephews playing games, going on nature walks, teaching them art and lovingly taught them many of lifes' lessons and values. He lived his life with passion. Friends are invited to share their memories of Randy with his family at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service to celebrate Randy's life and faith will be held at Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly, 395 King Street North, Waterloo, on Friday, February 27, 2004, at 1 p.m. Following cremation, interment will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener.Immediately following the service, friends and relatives are invited to remain at the church for refreshments and a time to visit with the family.In memory of Randy, donations to the Canadian Paraplegic Association would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and can be arranged through the funeral home, phone 745-8445 or www.edwardrgood.com

  
  

• Sources

  [S87] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Woodland CC#4510 Internet Link . [Previous stone 1] Carl A./ Wittie/ 1911-1981 [Previous stone 2] Ethel K./ Wittie/ 1907-1986 [New stone replaces 1 & 2] Wittie/ Carl A./ 1911-1981/ Ethel I./ 1907-1986/ Grandson/ Randy E./ Penner/ 1956-2004/ Beloved Son Of David And Lois [From cemetery records-Ethel I. Wittie]

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 20 Feb 2004 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth