{
  "id": 15724093,
  "title": "McGill law students petition for convicted murderer to return to studies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/mcgill-law-students-petition-for-convicted-murderer-to-return-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T09:00:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12108693/mcgill-law-petition-convicted-murderer-student/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "McGill University law students are petitioning the school to allow a convicted murderer on day parole to return to his studies, amid controversy surrounding his admission. Jeffrey George Ewert, now in his 60s, began studying at McGill in September and was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder in the 1980s. Ewert spent 40 years in federal prison before being granted day parole in 2025. His enrollment has sparked divided reactions among students, with some supporting his right to education and others expressing safety concerns. McGill student Leah Kropf stated, \"it’s scary and it’s kind of unbelievable,\" that Ewert was accepted into the program when many other students are denied admission. Conversely, Ines Keita and Isabelle Munoz have voiced their support and reservations respectively. Law student Raymond Johnson-Brown has initiated a petition garnering 128 signatures from fellow law students. He believes that education supports reintegration and has faith in the criminal justice system's safety measures. While the university declined to discuss individual student cases due to privacy laws, it emphasized that student safety is paramount and would review its admissions processes to prevent similar incidents. The McGill administration remains committed to second chances and the transformative power of education, while acknowledging student safety as the top priority. Constitutional lawyer Julius Grey argued that proper rehabilitation reduces recidivism and advocated for Ewert's continued studies, suggesting that he must be allowed somewhere to earn a living.",
  "summary": "Some McGill law students are calling on the university to allow a convicted murderer on day parole to return to his studies amid a growing campus controversy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}