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Extraits de plusieurs journaux de décembre 1997

A man serving a life sentence at Dorchester Penitentiary for murder, James Leland White, escaped from custody while on an escorted temporary absence from the medium-security penitentiary Tuesday afternoon (9 décembre ) . White's escort dropped him off at his destination and when he returned White was gone. The 43-year-old man, originally from Digby. N.S., was sentenced to life in prison in 1978 for the 1977 Christmas Eve murder of 21-year-old Douglas Primeau.

James Leland White's body was found in the back seat of a car in downtown Halifax yesterday - dead from an apparent suicide a mere two days after he escaped a prison escort in Moncton. Mr. White, according to one published account, was visiting woman in Moncton to whom he was engaged to be married. Mr. White apparently had a three-year-old daughter with the Moncton woman.

The jury reviewing White's 1993 application was told he had found Alcoholics Anonymous, love and religion since he was sent to prison. By all accounts, he was a man who had found new meaning to life and a new vocation, helping others inside the penitentiary cope with their problems. White had built a certain amount of trust among staff. He was a hard worker and was very well thought of at the health centre where he helped out.

The inmates have begun a collection for his fiancee and son. A memorial was an opportunity for friends to express their grief and mourn his death.

Funeral service for White will be held in Dieppe.