A man convicted of a brutal killing in Calgary has been granted a 60-day unescorted temporary absence (UTA) from William Head Institution, a minimum-security federal prison in Metchosin.
Robert David Reitmeier, convicted in 2013 of second-degree murder in the 2010 death of Mark Mariani, will be permitted to leave the prison for the duration of his absence, during which he is expected to attend a program four days a week.
During an interview with Global News, Reitmeier said he would use his spare time to work out and explore Victoria.
Reitmeier, now in the latter stages of his life sentence, was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 13 years.
His full parole eligibility is set for December 2026. His release comes as part of a controlled reintegration process meant to test inmates’ readiness for life outside prison, though specific details regarding oversight and conditions have not been disclosed.
Reitmeier and his co-accused, Tyler Sturrup, were members of a white supremacist group known as the Western European Bloodline (WEB) when they brutally attacked 47-year-old Mark Mariani in a Calgary alleyway on October 3rd, 2010.
Mariani, who had lived with Crohn’s disease for more than half his life, stopped in an alley to empty his ostomy bag after visiting a video store.
Meanwhile, Reitmeier and Sturrup were spray-painting graffiti. Without provocation, they brutally stomped and kicked him, fracturing his skull and ribs before leaving him for dead.
Despite his injuries, Mariani managed to crawl to his car, where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
While Sturrup pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life with no parole eligibility for 10 years, Reitmeier maintained his innocence and went to trial before being convicted of second-degree murder.
Reitmeier’s transfer to William Head Institution and subsequent temporary release signal a step toward potential parole consideration. However, the decision has raised concerns about community safety and transparency regarding such releases.
Victoria Buzz reached out to the West Shore RCMP to determine whether local law enforcement is informed when inmates with violent criminal histories are granted unescorted releases. A spokesperson for the detachment said they would look into the matter and provide an update early next week.
Correctional Service Canada has yet to provide additional details on the conditions of Reitmeier’s temporary release.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
