Hells Angels hitman from N.S. who mimed pulling a gun out of his pants and firing at co-worker loses day parole

A Hells Angels hitman who killed a man in Dartmouth has seen his day parole revoked and new criminal charges laid for threatening the life of a co-worker.

Dean Daniel Kelsie shot Sean Simmons, a 31-year-old father of two from Lower Sackville, in the head Oct. 3, 2000, in the lobby of a Trinity Avenue apartment building.

The 50-year-old was living in a Quebec halfway house on day parole when he got into trouble again last fall.

“On Oct. 19, 2023, (Quebec police) reported having received a complaint in connection with the events and three charges will be laid for uttering death threats, as you mimed pulling a firearm out of your pants and mimed with your hand firing toward your co-worker while saying that you knew where he lived,” said a new decision from the parole board revoking Kelsie’s day parole.

The “harassment” of the co-worker took place Oct. 2-4 last year.

‘Aggressive gestures’

That demonstrates “repetitive behaviours related to intimidation, but also to cause fear, as you made aggressive gestures and wanted to physically confront your co-worker,” said the parole board, which noted Kelsie’s actions prevented his co-worker from doing his job.

Kelsie is serving a life sentence for conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree murder.

“You received additional convictions in 2008 and 2015 for assaults committed during your incarceration,” said the parole board.

“The assaults were committed in 2007 and 2014, while you were incarcerated. You punched and kicked two inmates. You describe these offences as fights you claim to have won. You noted that the victims were willing to fight you and that you acted the way you did to put an end to a conflict. You explained that you had no choice as you had to be seen as strong to survive.”

‘Contract killing’

Police arrested Kelsie in April 2001 for the murder of Simmons.

“The homicide was apparently considered a contract killing carried out on behalf of a criminal organization,” said the parole board.

Hells Angels member Neil Smith ordered the hit because Simmons allegedly had an affair in the early 1990s with the mistress of the president of the Halifax chapter of the outlaw motorcycle gang.

Kelsie, one of four people charged in the killing, was handed a life sentence in March 2003 for conspiracy to commit murder. That was later downgraded on appeal to second-degree murder and Kelsie has been eligible for full parole since July 2019.

Lives ‘shattered’

The parole board considered victim statements, some made as recently as December 2023 and January 2024, in making the decision to revoke Kelsie’s day parole.

“In these statements, the victims discuss the severe consequences they still suffer from to this day,” said the parole board.

“They express how their lives were shattered by the murder, the undying trauma, hurt, drama, the fear and anxiety that is still felt today. They question where is the justice, as you get to be free in the community while they still serve a life sentence. They do not support any form of parole release.”

Kelsie’s criminal record stretches back to 1992 and includes convictions for theft, assaults, assaults causing bodily harm, uttering threats, robbery, mischief, obstructing a peace officer and drug trafficking.

“Your file indicates that you showed serious difficulty (complying) with your probation order in the past,” said the parole board.

“You also have several entries in your criminal record for failures to comply. The murder was committed while you were on probation.”

‘Intimidation tactics’

Kelsie had been on day parole since September 2021.

While there was no indication Kelsie was physically violent last fall, the parole board said he “used intimidation tactics during conflicts and (was) sometimes an instigator.”

The head of the halfway house where he was living informed Kelsie’s case management team on Aug. 24, 2023 that it couldn’t support his reintegration anymore after he had another conflict with another resident.

“In this situation, you intervened with a fellow resident, while in a restaurant. You explained that the resident had ‘touched’ your co-worker in the past, and you found this unacceptable,” said the parole board.

“During a subsequent meeting, you engaged the fellow resident in conversation, intimidating him and reminding him that you would protect your co-worker in the event of a problem, and that you would encourage your co-worker to lay a complaint with the police.”

Kelsie’s “difficult behaviour, lack of accountability and conflictual relationships with both staff and other residents were the reasons for the withdrawal of support,” said the parole board.

‘INTERPERSONAL ISSUES’

Kelsie was sent to a community correctional centre for six weeks.

“Multiple measures and alternatives were put in place to manage the risk, while remaining the least restrictive,” said the parole board.

“Since the last few months, you have used your time constructively through full-time employment. However, it is mentioned that you have been paired with three different colleagues due to interpersonal issues. Nevertheless, you are reported (to be) an efficient and punctual worker. You also tried to go back to school as a partial student at a university, but you dropped out after a week to concentrate on your job.”

Kelsie got about $12,000 in a class action against solitary confinement in prison. “In September 2023, your bank account balance was around $7,000.”

His case management team found that “current events show that you remain an individual with a low tolerance for frustration and that you still demonstrate carelessness for others. Your caseworkers are of the opinion the risk of offending now appears higher as you continue to believe in the benefits of intimidation and violence in order to be respected.”

‘FEARED FOR HIS SAFETY’

On the morning of Oct. 3, 2023, Kelsie sent text messages to his parole officer stating he wanted to leave his job following a conflict with a co-worker.

“You mentioned that your co-worker insulted you in another language and that he chased you to start a fight. You also explained that you had managed your emotions appropriately, had not reacted and had avoided any confrontation. You were encouraged to ask your employer to move you in order not to lose your job,” said the parole board.

Kelsie got a call from his employer informing him that he would be assigned a new co-worker.

“The next day, verifications conducted with the employer revealed that your version of events was different from the one provided by witnesses and your co-worker. According to the foreman supervisor, the conflict lasted three days and during which several phone calls from your co-worker were received to report that you had been threatening him and that he feared for his safety.”

BEHAVIOUR ‘DETERIORATED’

Two of Kelsie’s supervisors witnessed a situation where his co-worker confronted the convicted killer.

“During this situation, it appears that you were agitated and invited the co-worker to move away, telling him, ‘If you want to resolve this, we will resolve it further away,’ and raised your shirt to show that you were unarmed. Following this event, the foreman supervisor received numerous calls mentioning that you were trying to find the co-worker. Moreover, photos of your presence confirm that you were indeed in the area where the co-worker was working on the evening of Oct. 4.”

There was no verbal or physical exchange between Kelsie and his co-worker that night, said the parole board.

“Given that your behaviour had deteriorated and that threatening remarks had been reported, your (case management team) concluded that the risk you presented in the community was increased and a warrant of suspension was issued and executed on Oct. 4, 2023.”

Kelsie acknowledged that he may have reacted in a way that made his co-worker feel intimidated.

Double denial

“You mentioned that you only wanted to protect yourself when your co-worker approached you. You denied using intimidating words or violent or threatening gestures,” said the parole board.

“When questioned about the fact that you were trying to locate your colleague, you also denied it, explaining that you have never asked for information regarding his whereabouts that you were only in the area where the co-worker was working to submit employment requests.”

Kelsie told the parole board he didn’t want to write the co-worker an apology letter because he didn’t want to frighten him.

“At the hearing, you recognized that you have a problem with your attitude and demeanour, but mentioned that you did nothing to make your co-worker feel intimidated,” said his parole decision.

‘Reacted aggressively’

Kelsie appeared in court last November to face the new charges.

“You are currently charged for intimidation, threats to cause death or bodily harm and harassment. A new appearance date is scheduled for February 2024,” said the parole board.

“It has also been reported that the victim remains affected psychologically by your behaviour.”

Kelsie’s handlers had to intervene many times when he displayed “intimidating behaviour towards co-residents and co-workers,” said the parole board.

“It is not the first time you had to change (teams) at work due to your difficulties and behaviours. In May 2023, you also reacted aggressively towards your (case management team) during a home visit. You also show a rigid even arrogant attitude towards your caseworkers when things do not go your way.”

‘No longer manageable’

The halfway house where Kelsie had lived for two years withdrew its support last summer due to his “difficult and intimidating attitude, an incident involving a co-resident and (his) lack of accountability,” said the parole board.

“Since your arrival at this new halfway house, more interventions were required, which you denied at the hearing.”

Kelsie denied harassing, intimidating and threatening his co-worker, said the parole board. “You did not take any accountability regarding this situation, other than to say that your stature and demeanour can appear intimidating at times. You could not identify any wrongdoing, what you could have done differently, or the tools you could have applied other than to say that you need to continue working on yourself and your emotional management.”

Day parole is a discretionary release, said the parole board.

“Considering your ongoing difficulties regarding interpersonal relationships, the circumstances that led to your suspension and your lack of accountability, the board is of the opinion that your risk of reoffending has increased to a level that is no longer manageable in the community.”