the march 5th, 2007 rally › nina louise courtepatte › deadmonton 2005 › deadmonton › edmonton

On March 5th, 2007 Nina Courtepatte's mother, Peacha Atkinson, and dozens of others held an emotional rally outside Edmonton's Law Courts building.

Amid the sound of a Unity drum song, families angry over what they feel were lenient sentences for violent young offenders gathered to collect signatures on petitions to be sent to the federal government to demand tougher sentencing.

Atkinson was motivated to joins the ranks of Kelly Rolston and Gary Hunt in their effort to bring change to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Day after day of facing the men accused of murdering her daughter, Atkinson said she had to do something.

"It hurts bad. A lot of times I just leave the courtroom because I can't hear anymore."

The woman remembered her daughter's life showing great promise.

"She tried to make something of her life. And that's the sad thing because she won a modelling contest, she could draw, she could sing and all that was cut short before she realised what was happening."

Atkinson said she hoped her efforts would spare others from the loss she has endured.

"The kids have to feel safe again and the parents have to feel safe again – they know their child is going to come home again and they're not going to miss them."

"They're not going to wait for the knock on the door anymore."

Peacha said she wanted tougher sentences for young offenders and also wants their names published.

The woman said she was comforted by those who came to the rally and finds strength in their numbers.

"We all have to band together now. We can't stand alone because our voices won't be heard."

The sentiment was shared by others who attended, among them Kelly Rolston whose 17-year-old son Shane was beaten to death on November 19th, 2005 at a Sherwood Park house party.

"A lot of bad memories in this building."

"It's very unfortunate that we're all in the same situation. There's way too many in this situation and there's only a small percentage of us that are here. It's not right."

Rolston echoed Atkinson's sentiments regarding the loss of a child.

"Because that's worst thing a parent can go through ... and I don't want another parent to go through that again."

"I believe the petitions are our voice. We wouldn't be here today if the justice system had done their part the first time."

Also at the rally was Gary Hunt.

"Like Kelly Rolston and myself were saying earlier this morning that no matter what we do we can't bring our sons back."

"I hope people understand that we're doing this for them and their families and I think they do for the most part."

"But you know when they're sitting around the table tonight for supper and they're with their families, I mean, just to imagine them being murdered by senseless killing."

Hunt lost his 16-year-old son Josh, who was fatally stabbed by a young offender at a Mill Woods house party on October 14th, 2006.

However, not all at the rally were pleased at the modest turnout.

"Where's the people? Where's the outrage? I don't see it," remarked Josette Shemko.

Shemko was disappointed that the gathering attracted so few people, especially when compared to the reaction a cruelty to animal case in central Alberta garnered just weeks before.

"They had a 100,000 signatures for a dog but when a child gets killed – where's everybody?"

"You know, this is why I'm here," Shemko said referring to her disatisfaction with the courts.

But it was a different story at the Youth Criminal Defense Office.

CTV Edmonton interviewed Karen McGowan, a lawyer at the office, on the same day as Peacha's rally.

"I don't think that the justice has failed. I think that the justice system has fared very well, especially under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because less young people being incarcerated for non-violent offences."

McGown said overall youth crime has dropped but acknowledged that violent youth crime has increased.

She said the "leniency" provided for in the Act is a myth.

"I think that's the public's perception. They don't get a slap on the wrist for violent offences."

"The Youth Criminal Justice Act is very clear that if you commit a violent offence you're at risk for custody."

According to a Statistics Canada report released July 20th, 2006, crime committed by youth aged 12 to 17 fell six per cent in 2005, the second consecutive year of decline.

However, the number of young people accused of homicide rose from 44 in 2004 to 65 in 2005, putting the youth accused homicide rate at its highest point in more than a decade.

Gary Hunt said he would present his own petition on the steps of the Alberta Legislature on March 10th, 2007.

A web site, Nina's Fight for Justice, has been set up for those wanting to sign Peacha Atkinson's petition.

Other victim and petition web sites can be found here.

Peacha Atkinson later joined hundreds of other Albertans affected by crimes of violence at the Silent March For Justice rally held March 10th, 2007.

deadmonton 2005 - nina louise courtepatte - the march 5th, 2007 rally