Mr. Speaker, this week is Crime Prevention Week. How does this case help prevent crime?
In April 1995, 58-year-old James Baldwin was viciously kicked to death by six youths in Dawson Creek who were aged 15 to 17 at the time. All of these young offenders were known to local police. Only the 15-year-old was raised to adult court.
Their malicious murder of Baldwin as he lay sleeping in his tent was plea bargained down from second degree murder to manslaughter.
On Friday three of the youths were sentenced. Two have been in jail since the crime. They got another six months in jail, plus one year's probation. The third youth got one year in jail, plus two year's probation and 180 hours of community service.
This is justice? How does this deter crime? Why was this cold blooded murder plea bargained to manslaughter?
An 80-year-old constituent walked into my office just a matter of an hour ago and said it best: "This sentence is a disgrace".