MOOSE JAW, Sask. — During his 19 years behind bars, convicted murderer Colin Thatcher has changed from an arrogant cynic to a gentle, more caring individual with a renewed interest in the Bible, his pastor testified Thursday.

"I saw his attitude and perspective on things change," Rev. Paul Polonenko told a jury hearing the former Saskatchewan cabinet minister's second bid for a chance at early parole.

"I think he became softer in his outlooks."

Thatcher is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years for the 1983 first-degree murder of his former wife, JoAnn Wilson. He is in his hometown of Moose Jaw asking the jury to reduce the 25 years under the faint-hope section of the Criminal Code.

The pastor testified he was so impressed he sponsored a request for an escorted leave so Thatcher could attend an Edmonton Oilers hockey game in 1987 and one for him to attend a birthday dinner a few years later. Both requests were denied, however, because of Thatcher's maximum-security status.

Thatcher, the son of former Saskatchewan premier Ross Thatcher, was a high-profile politician and former energy minister at the time of his arrest in 1984. The trial captivated the nation.

The faint-hope jury has heard how he and Wilson were going through a bitter divorce and messy custody battle when she was found beaten and shot to death in the garage of her Regina home. She was entitled to more than $800,000 as part of the divorce settlement.

At Thatcher's trial, witnesses testified he had talked about harming Wilson both before and after she was dead and that he had approached different hit men trying to acquire their services.

Polonenko, who now serves as pastor at Westgate Alliance Church in Saskatoon, said he began visiting Thatcher in the fall of 1985. Thatcher was an inmate at a maximum-security prison in Edmonton and Polonenko was based at a church in nearby Fort Saskatchewan.

"Colin had become a committed Christian and had a great interest in learning more about the Bible," Polonenko testified.

Polonenko enrolled Thatcher in a nine-week Bible study course, but his interest was so keen his studies were expanded over several months.

Thatcher was transferred out of Edmonton in the early 1990s, but the two remain in touch by phone, Polonenko testified.

He and his family even visited Thatcher at the Ferndale Institution in British Columbia while they were on vacation. He said both of his young children have taken to Thatcher, especially his daughter who has had conversations with him.

"It disturbs her very much to see Colin on television wearing handcuffs," Polonenko said. "They both feel very comfortable around him."

Polonenko said that over the years he has seen Thatcher go from being a cynical person to someone who is much more mellow.

"In that time I have found him to be a warm and engaging person. I would describe him as someone who is very aware of who he is as a person."

The Crown had no questions for Polonenko on cross-examination.

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday when Thatcher's lawyer Darin Chow is expected to call his last witness. Justice Darla Hunter said she plans to begin her charge to the jury Wednesday.