Southern Alberta parents found guilty in death of toddler head to Supreme Court and when is bad driving criminal?
The southern Alberta parents found criminally responsible for their toddlers death want to take their case to the Supreme Court.
The Alberta’s Court of Appeal recently upheld a conviction against David and Collette Stephan. The parents were found guilty in 2016 of failing to provide the necessaries of life to their 19-month-old son Ezekiel. The boy died as a result of meningitis which his parents treated using garlic, onion and horse radish.
The decision to uphold that conviction was not unanimous, therefore, the case can go on to the Supreme Court. David Stephan took to Facebook explaining his plans to move ahead to Canada’s top court. He also criticized the justice system, writing ... “I have come to the realize that within the current system there is no room for justice and truth, there is no humanity and there definitely is no love."
Plus, 31-year old Kristy Hodgson was struck and killed walking her dogs along a Toronto side walk. The driver, Gideon Fekre told police, "I took my eyes off the road for just a second" "I dropped a bottle of water, and reached down to pick it up."
After it was determined he was not speeding or impaired, Fekre was found not guilty avoiding a possible prison sentence of fourteen years. The verdict hinged on whether the accident could be attributed to everyday bad driving or distracted driving.
The case raises the question, when even good drivers are subject to momentary lapses of judgement.. Should all mistakes result in criminal consequences?
Our Crime Panel guests include: Keith Spencer, retired criminologist; Ed O'Neill, defence lawyer and Kevin Martin, court reporter for Postmedia
