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It has been nearly 20 years since Arthur and Edna Kohler were found by their son — Arthur dead and Edna clinging to life after a home invasion — in their Regina home.
Now, one of the men convicted in the attack is being granted day passes from his B.C. prison.
Joshua Bayerle was one of five men convicted of breaking into the Kohlers’ home on Millar Crescent that night in August 2000.
According to the report from the parole board, the men thought there would be a lot of money in the home. They also didn’t think anyone would be inside, but instead found Arthur and Edna.
The men attacked the couple and robbed the home of jewelry, a VCR and credit cards.
It wasn’t until their son, David Kohler, arrived at the couple’s home three days later that they were found. Arthur died there but Edna managed to hang on to life for a month before dying in hospital.
Bayerle and four others were soon arrested. He was 21 at the time and was known as Joshua Hein; he later changed his name.
Bayerle was convicted of both first- and second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 25 years.
David Kohler spoke to media outside court after Bayerle and another man’s verdicts came down in 2002 — the last in the group to be convicted.
“There are no words that can express our feelings over such a horrible and senseless act. The last 22 months have been a difficult journey; now that it is over, a sense of closure exists. Eventually there will be peace,” said David.
Earlier this month, Bayerle was granted escorted temporary absences from the B.C. prison where he’s currently serving his sentence. He was transferred out of the prairies in 2010 over concerns about Indigenous gangs.
According to the report from the parole board, Bayerle’s risk assessment is moderate. He had problems at the beginning of his sentence but has since made progress in taking programs, upgrading his education and being institutionally employed.
Bayerle wants the escorted absences so he can participate in an inmate work crew which leaves the prison, and so he can visit community residential facilities to “acquaint himself with the area” and to “build a community support network.”
The absences are to be part of a “very gradual reintegration” supported by the psychologist who assessed Bayerle.
In its decision to grant Bayerle the day passes, the board said it is mindful of the nature and severity of Bayerle’s crimes, but also listed mitigating factors like him accepting responsibility, appearing to be remorseful, completing programming, not using substances or having been violent for several years, and having been in minimum security since 2017 with no concerns.
