Canada's broken justice system is part of the problem.
$50,000 bail granted for first degree murder suspect -
Critics are outraged that just one day after the shooting spree on Yonge St., Canada's "broken legal system" granted bail in Toronto to an alleged drug dealer accused of using a handgun to commit first-degree murder.
"Getting bail on first-degree murder is so frustrating. It's incredible just after the Yonge St. shootings, which in many respects was predictable," said York Police Chief Armand LaBarge, a spokesman for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
"We have to bring the pendulum back so there is accountability ... that's what we need. If you use a firearm you are going to jail and with a minimum sentence."
On Monday, a hail of bullets were sprayed into Boxing Day shoppers on Yonge, killing 15-year-old Jane Creba and injuring six others.
One day after that tragedy, 23-year-old Marcel Laframboise, who is charged with the first-degree murder of Adam Bender of Oshawa, was released from the Quinte Detention Centre on $50,000 bail approved by an appeal court judge in Toronto.
SHOT, DUMPED
Court documents allege that in August Laframboise and an accomplice went to collect a drug debt from Bender, who was badly beaten, shot at and dumped in a Quinte field, where he was later found dead.
Bender's blood was found in Laframboise's car, according to the documents.
An autopsy, the results of which became available after the bail hearing, showed that hypothermia contributed to Bender's death.
Laframboise had initially been denied bail.
The justice handling the appeal ruled "the bail judge overstated the strength of the Crown's case (against Laframboise)" but noted Laframboise "is a party with (the accused accomplice) in the killing of Adam Bender."
First-degree murder is the most serious of homicide charges and indicates planning and deliberation.
'CONNECT THE DOTS'
Jim Stephenson, a victims' advocate, said bail should never be granted in cases of first-degree murder. His son, Christopher, 11, was abducted from a Brampton mall in June 1988 by a repeat sex offender and murdered.
"Why can't the members of the bench connect the dots with crimes committed with firearms," said Stephenson, pointing to the recent murder of a North York car dealer.
On Nov. 5 a man was arrested at the crowded Yorkdale Mall allegedly with a loaded, stolen gun that had its serial number scratched off.
The 20-year-old was released two days later on bail and is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the slaying of a used car salesman at a North York dealership this month.
"It's only appropriate to have bail denied when guns are involved. They should stay in jail until their court time ... especially after (what happened) Boxing Day," Stephenson said.
Harry Rosenfeldt, with Victims of Violence Canada, said it's "ludicrous" to allow bail in cases involving guns.
"When charged with first-degree they should stay in jail because it can take years before it comes to trial," he said. "When they are out on bail, these guys will continue to do what they are doing. They aren't going to stop."
Next story: Shootout charges
December 30, 2005
TORONTO SUN |
