A former truck driver found guilty in the 2011 death of a woman in an Edmonton hotel room has been denied parole due to his violent past, deceitful behavior, and attempts to downplay the crime. Bradley Barton, now 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, sentenced to 11½ years, was recently denied both full and day parole by the Parole Board of Canada, citing concerns about the risk his release could pose to the community.
The board criticized Barton for his troubling and evasive responses regarding Gladue’s death, noting his continued efforts to rationalize and justify his actions. Barton engaged in a highly invasive sexual act on his intoxicated victim but failed to seek medical help, choosing instead to leave the hotel and deceive the police to avoid accountability.
During his parole hearing, Barton attributed Gladue’s death to a “business arrangement” that he believed granted consent for dangerous sexual acts. The case endured a lengthy legal process with two trials and multiple appeals before Barton was ultimately convicted of manslaughter in 2021.
Despite completing a sex offender rehabilitation program, Barton minimized his offenses and did not acknowledge the need to address his concerning sexual behaviors. The board highlighted Barton’s ongoing struggles with understanding consent and noted a regression in his correctional progress. Barton’s proposed day parole plan involved residing at a community-based facility or living with one of his sons.
While Barton lacked prior convictions, the board referenced a dismissed sexual assault charge and a stayed assault charge from a past incident, indicating a history of violence. The board emphasized the lasting impact of Barton’s crimes on Gladue’s loved ones, underscoring the profound grief and trauma experienced by her family and friends, particularly her three children who will carry the weight of their loss for years to come.