Canada

LEGERE
Allan Joseph

Active from 1986-1989 in the Miramichi region, New Brunswick

DID YOU KNOW...

Spooky Fact

Legere was captured in November 1989, charged in November 1990 and convicted in November 1991

Funny Fact

The presiding judge accidentally called Legere "Mr. Semen"

Weird Fact

Legere was compared to Charles Manson for being charismatic

THE DISPATCH

The Beginning

Allan Joseph Legere said he wanted to take revenge against the community he lived in. That’s why, he said, he attacked women and a priest. In 1976, he had a run in with the priest. Linda Daughney had once turned him down for a date. That was good enough for the “strange character”.

Legere was described by his former parole officer as a “deep thinker” who liked to paint and draw. The woodsman was not a recluse, but was “friendly on the street” and a “gentleman.” Citizens of the Miramichi region would become so frightened of Legere, they installed “Legere Lights.” These dusk-to-dawn lights were meant to illuminate areas and keep the killer at bay. Citizens continued to use Legere Lights long after he was convicted.

The Murders

John Glendenning (Victim) & Marie Glendenning (Survivor)

Sixty-six-year-old John Glendenning and his wife Marie were attacked by 3 men in their Black River store. Legere and two accomplices, Todd Matchett and Scott Curtis, had cut power to the store and broke in.

John died from a beating and strangulation, and his wife barely survived. Marie was beaten, and woke up with her face in a toilet bowl and a scarf tied tightly around her neck. She crawled upstairs to their home and called for help. When police arrived, they found blood “smeared on the walls, smeared on the floors, just pools and pools” of blood everywhere. Police found a bag containing more than $3,400 in the basement, missed by the killers who opted for the store safe.

Within a week there was a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of the three men. To brag, Legere dumped the take from Glendenning’s store on his girlfriend’s bed. She counted the blood stained cash: the trio stole $45,000, and Legere’s portion was $14,000. He told he did not take part in the killing, and said their future was set. He was arrested the same month.

Killers Guilty

On January 6, 1987, Legere and his two accomplices went on trial for the robbery and murder of Glendenning, and the attack on his wife. For the Glendenning murder, Legere had been accompanied by Todd Matchett (21) and Scott Curtis (23).

The survivor, Marie, testified at the trial. Matchett, Curtis and Legere were found guilty of murder on January 22, 1987. Legere was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years. The other killers got life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years. More than 1000 locals attended the trial and shouted “Hang him!” at Legere.

Legere Escapes, The Monster Awakens

On May 3, 1989, Legere escaped from prison. He was being transported to a hospital for an ear infection. Once at hospital, Legere managed to attend the bathroom alone, where he used a homemade key to open his handcuffs. He used a secreted piece of TV antenna to hold guards at bay, then fled. He stole cars to get away.

Annie Flam (victim) & Nina Flam (Survivor)

On May 28, 1989 Legere broke into the home of Annie (75) and Nina (61) Flam. They lived above the grocery store Annie had run for more than 50 years. He raped both women, then severely beat them. As he was leaving, Legere set fire to their home. When rescuers arrived, Nina was found alive at the bottom of a stairway.

She had been raped, beaten, bound and burned. Annie was found dead in her bedroom, tied to a chair. The RCMP compared this to the Glendenning crime and saw similarities. Legere became a suspect quickly.

Donna Daughney & Linda Daughney

On October 13, 1989, Donna Alberta Daughney (45) and her sister Linda Lou Daughney (41) were attacked in their home. Legere sexually assaulted both women and beat them. He set their home on fire. Donna died from the beating, Linda died from a combination of the beating and smoke inhalation. Legere was suspected right away. Legere had known Linda from years previous. They attended the same health club. Linda had once rejected his advances.

Father James Smith

Police began regular patrols of small towns and villages looking for Legere. On November 15, police patrolled Chatham Head as part of that routine. Chatham Head was on police radar because Legere had an unsavory history with the village. They missed Legere by one night. Father James Smith was in the rectory of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on November 16, 1989. Legere broke in and beat him to death.

Parishioners found Father Smith when he failed to show up for mass that day. Legere left tools behind when he failed to break into the vault. Father Smith had 13 broken ribs and was stabbed many times. Legere stole money and the Father’s car.

Legere knew Father Smith, having once had a run-in with the man. While in prison for Glendenning’s murder, Legere made no secret of his desire for revenge against those he thought had wronged him. Father Smith was 69.

Arrest & Trial

Legere Captured

On November 24, 1989, in an attempt to avoid arrest, Legere stole cars and even a tractor trailer, as various vehicles crashed. He finally gave up, stepped out of the truck, yelled “It’s not me! Don’t shoot!” and laid on the ground. Police arrested him. He later complained that one officer kicked him during the arrest.

Members of the public drove by the police station where Legere was taken. They honked their horns and cheered. A local hospital had a spontaneous part with free coffee and donuts.

Police thought Legere’s reign of terror in the Miramichi area had been made easier with the help of a young man. Helicopters continued to fly over the area, looking for a “man in a green jacket.” It turns out that it was Legere, he’d simply lost 30-40 lbs/13.5-18 kg while on the run.

Jurors Nervous At Trial

Prospective jurors for the trial of Allan Joseph Legere are afraid of him. Many are excused from jury duty because they are too frightened to sit in judgement of a man known for revenge killing. “I didn’t expect this one,” a young woman said. She was dismissed from the jury pool by Judge Paul Creaghan.

“Frankly, I’m nervous… I don’t like retaliation and I don’t like to have that responsibility,” said one young man. The defense lawyer went through most of the 40 prospective jurors before settling on 8 women and 4 men.

One of the witnesses to be called was Moncton citizen Margaret Olive, She had the misfortune of leaving the parking lot of the hospital from which Legere had escape. He jumped into her car, and threatened her with a sharpened screwdriver. She drove about 10 minutes before Legere released her unharmed.

On the way to court, Legere yelled out to CBC reporter Andre Venoit. Venoit was co-author of Terror: Murder and Panic on the Miramichi. “CBC is hard up for news, Andrew. Good thing I came back.”

More Charges Announced Against Legere

Legere was more than capable of duping someone into becoming an accomplice. He was compared to Charles Manson for his charisma. While awaiting trial, he almost convinced a married news reporter, Caroline Norwood, to abandon her husband of 30 years for him. The husband intervened.

Almost a year later, Legere is charged with the murders of Annie Flam, Donna Daughney, Linda Daughney and Father Smith. Legere announced his engagement to Caroline Norwood was back on. Legere goes on a hunger strike before trial, complaining no one is paying attention to him. Newspapers reported that Legere looked good considering he had been on a hunger strike. He reportedly rolled his eyes, pursued his lips and quietly chatted during preliminary court proceedings.

On the same day as the pre-trial, Norwood was seen clutching a valentine, and Legere’s mother threatened then hit a reporter.

The Trial Begins

A voir dire hearing in Canada determines which evidence will be allowed at trial. Legere’s voir dire began February 5, 1991 and lasted for weeks. Lawyers, reported, onlookers, Legere supporters and Legere himself were in court. His fiancé, Carolyn Norwood (the ex-reporter who was still under his thrall) and his mother also attended. His mother threatened to assault reporters as she left the voir dire on the first day.

Jury selection began August 26, and the trial started 2 days later. Prosecutors announced that DNA would be used as evidence. In 1991 in Canada, DNA evidence was not common during trials. The trial was an important test case for genetic fingerprinting.

Legere Guilty on 4 Counts

DNA evidence, including that taken from semen samples, were very important during the trial. While making his charge to the jury at the end of the trial, the judge accidentally called Legere, “Mr. Semen”.

The jury found him guilty on November 3, 1991. He was sentenced 2 days later for 4 murders. He received 4 life sentences, but they are to be served concurrently. He is not eligible for parole for 25 years.

People refused to talk about the Legere case in public. They feared his supporters and friends who lived in the area.

Within days of being found guilty, authorities sought to have Legere transferred to a new prison. They declared he was too familiar with the prison and the area, and it represented an escape risk.

Parole Rejected

Allan Joseph Legere has applied for parole a number of times, and has been refused each time. The most recent was on January 13, 2021. Legere denied killing 2 of the 4 people he was convicted of killing. He answered some yes/no questions with 15 minutes of rambling and refused to keep his answers short and focused on the question.

When asked if he understood that he had caused others pain, Legere said he did. But, he asked, “Why they can’t forgive me, why they can’t forget.” He also denied being a sex offender, and shows limited insight into his offences.

Legere’s Location

Even if Legere is released, he will remain under supervision of correctional officers. “Life means life whether the offender is incarcerated or supervised in the community,” said Parole Board spokesperson Paula Vargas.

Allan Joseph Legere remains incarcerated in an Edmonton, Canada prison.

SIMILAR SERIAL KILLERS

Michael Wayne McGray

McGray was also born in New Brunswick, Canada

Dennis Lynn Rader

Rader and Legere were both diagnosed as obsessive compulsive

Paula Marie Sims

Both Sims and Legere killed their first victims in June, 1986

WHERE IT HAPPENED

A non-interactive map of where things happened

BOOKS

Books about or including Allan Joseph Legere

Cold North Killers: Canadian Serial Murder by Lee Mellor

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dundurn Press; Illustrated edition (March 3 2012)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 472 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1459701243

There are more than 60 serial murderers in Canadian history. For too long awareness of serial murder in Canada has been confined toWest Coastbutcher Clifford Olson and the “Schoolgirl Murderers” Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, along with the horrific acts of pig farmer Robert Pickton. Unlike our American neighbours, Canada has been viewed as a nation untouched by the shadow of multiple murder. Then came Colonel Russell Williams and his bizarre homicides and serial home invasions, which were sensational news worldwide on the Internet and television and in scores of newspapers and magazines.

The reason for Canada’s serial killer blackout is clear: until now such information has never been compiled and presented in a single concise work. ColdNorth Killers is a wake-up call. This detailed and haunting account of Canada’s worst monsters analyzes their crimes, childhoods, and inevitable downfalls. It is an indispensablecompendium for any true crime lover, criminologist, or law-enforcement officer.

Terror’s End: Allan Legere On Trial by Rick MacLean; André Veniot; Shaun Waters

Publisher: McClelland & Stewart, 1992
ISBN: 9780771055959

Will the killing never end? As summer gave way to fall in 1989 residents of New Brunswick’s picturesque Miramichi River Region found themselves hostages of Terror. Four people including a 69 year old Catholic priest had been brutally murdered in their homes. Police responded with one of the largest manhunts in Canadian history.

Aka Terror: Murder and Panic in New Brunswick

The Miramichi Axe Murder: Was Robbie Cunningham The Scapegoat For Allan Legere? by Sandra Mitchell

Pulisher: Nimbus Publishing (1992)
ISBN: 9781551090115

On Aug 15, 1979, Nicholas Duguay was blundgeoned to death with an axe in Chatham Head, New Brunswick. Eighteen year old Robbie Cunningham was convicted of this murder…Robbie Cunningham may be the scapegoat for a murder of Alan Legere who was convicted of 5 of 7 murders in the area and 2 have never been solved!

Escaped Killer: the True Story Of Serial Killer Allan Legere by RJ Parker

Publisher ‏ : ‎ RJ Parker Publishing; 1st edition (Feb. 5 2017)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 77 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1987902280

When this killer was on the loose, citizens were vigilant, yet scared. Children were not allowed outside to play without adult supervision. But then he was captured, tried, convicted, and put away for life in prison. The community could finally breathe again. They are out of danger. Until the day the convicted killer escapes prison and rains terror upon anyone and everyone in his way. The manhunt pursues, the killer kills, and earns the title of a serial killer. This is the story of Allan Legere—a monster.

The Genetic Imaginary: Dna In The Canadian Criminal Justice System by Neil Gerlach

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division (Sept. 29 2004)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802085726

DNA testing and banking has become institutionalized in the Canadian criminal justice system. As accepted and widespread though the practice is, there has been little critique or debate of this practice in a broad public forum on the potential infringement of individual rights or civil liberties. Neil Gerlach’s The Genetic Imaginary takes up this challenge, critically examining the social, legal, and criminal justice origins and effects of DNA testing and banking. Drawing on risk analysis, Gerlach explains why Canadians have accepted DNA technology with barely a ripple of public outcry.

Despite promises of better crime control and protections for existing privacy rights, Gerlach’s examination of police practices, courtroom decisions, and the changing role of scientific expertise in legal decision-making reveals that DNA testing and banking have indeed led to a measurable erosion of individual rights. Biogovernance and the biotechnology of surveillance almost inevitably lead to the empowerment of state agent control and away from due process and legal protection. The Genetic Imaginary demonstrates that the overall effect of these changes to the criminal justice system has been to emphasize the importance of community security at the expense of individual rights. The privatization and politicization of biogovernance will certainly have profound future implications for all Canadians.

VIDEOS & PODCASTS

Videos and podcasts about Allan Joseph Legere.

Allan Legere – Monster of Miramachi – Part 1 and Part 2 from Dark Poutine

Allan Legere – The Monster of Miramichi from Nighttime Podcast

THE STATS

Days between escape and recapture

190

The average age of Legere's victims

Accomplices helped Legere with his first murder

The number of Father Smith's broken ribs

Allan Joseph Legere in a Historical Timeline

Allan Joseph Legere

Killer Name	Legere, Allan Joseph
AKA	The Monster of Miramichi
Partnership	Yes
Gender	M
Arrest Date	November 24, 1989
Conviction Date	November 3, 1991
Sentence	Life term with chance of parole after 18 years, January 3, 1987; Life term
Birth Location	Chatham Head, New Brunswick Canada
Birth Date	February 13, 1948
Status	Alive or Unknown
School Grade	Dropped out of high school
Job Types	Machinist, bar manager
Labour Type	Blue
Sexual Preference	Straight
Marital Status	Remarried
Number of Children	At least 2
Killer Type	Criminal Enterprise (drugs/robbery), Sexual/Sadistic, Territorial
Psych Diagnosis	After incarceration, antisocial and narcissistic disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder, and he scores high on the psychopathy checklist, a result connected to high rates of recidivism
Fire Setting	Set one victim's home on fire
Partner Name	Matchett, Todd William and Curtis, Scott Michael (for 1 murder)
Parnter Gender	M
Partner Relation	Accomplices
comment1	Tortured first victim to death; others stabbed, bludgeoned, strangled, asphyxiated
Total Dead Victims	5
Victims (Convicted)	5
Victim Gender	Various
Victim Race	White
Victim Age	41, 45, 66, 69, 75
Victim Type	People at home
Victim Type 2	People in pairs
Method of Killing	stabbed, bludgeoned, strangled, asphyxiated
Robbery	Yes
Sex Assault	Yes
Torture	Yes
Binding	Yes
Body - Left, Not Hidden	Yes
Previous Crimes	Break & enter, assault, theft, possession of stolen goods
Commit Crimes While Out	Yes, multiple murders
Prison Problems	Fixated on female employees, refuses to participate in mandatory counselling

Killer Rating

 5/5