UPDATED: Kenneth Jacob Fenton has been sentenced to four years behind bars for his role in the death of . He will also be prohibited from driving for five years following his incarceration in a federal prison.
BeckettB次元官网网址檚 family and friends were visibly upset in Western Communities Court Friday as Judge Ron Lamperson read his decision to a packed courtroom and those watching via video in another room for the overflowing crowd. Tears glistened on cheeks as an exacerbated sigh swept over the crowd when the sentence was handed down. Many stared in disbelief as the maximum could have been life in prison.
B次元官网网址淐learly, thereB次元官网网址檚 no sentence which I could impose which would bring Const. Beckett back or put an end to the emotional pain in which her family and friends are suffering,B次元官网网址� Lamperson said. B次元官网网址淲e must be clear however, that a sentence imposed by the court cannot be based upon vengeance B次元官网网址� This is one of the most difficult decisions IB次元官网网址檝e ever hard to make.B次元官网网址�
After reiterating , , Lamperson stated that his sentencing decision was based on the communityB次元官网网址檚 condemnation of FentonB次元官网网址檚 criminal conduct, while finding that defence counselB次元官网网址檚 suggestion of three years falls short.
Crown counsel had asked for three to five years of imprisonment and an eight-to-10-year driving prohibition upon release, while FentonB次元官网网址檚 lawyers had requested three years and a five-year driving prohibition that would start at the time of sentencing.
B次元官网网址淚 recognize that to many members of the community the sentence I have imposed will seem inadequate,B次元官网网址� Lamperson said. B次元官网网址淭here is no sentence I could impose which would bring Sarah Beckett back to life. In deciding the proper sentence to impose in this case, I must follow the law as it was developed. In particular, I must be guided by the sentences which have been imposed in past cases of impaired driving causing death in British Columbia.B次元官网网址�
While the judge believes itB次元官网网址檚 unlikely Fenton will re-offend, he hopes this sentence will deter other members of the community from driving when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Fenton was also sentenced to three years in jail for dangerous driving causing death, which will be served at the same time. At the request of his lawyers, the judge made a recommendation that Fenton serve his sentence at an institution on Vancouver Island.
Outside of the courthouse, Alisia Adams, spokesperson for B.C. Prosecution Service, addressed comments that Crown and the system had fail Beckett.
B次元官网网址淚n this case itB次元官网网址檚 clear that the family, and the friends, and the colleagues of Const. Beckett have experienced a profound loss. We recognize their pain. But in approaching our task as Crown counsel, we have to look objectively and impartially at the evidence and what it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.B次元官网网址�
Asked to respond to those in the community that believe this sentence isnB次元官网网址檛 long enough, defence lawyer Dale Marshall simply said, B次元官网网址渆veryoneB次元官网网址檚 entitled to their opinion.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a delicate balancing act that the judge has to perform in any sentencing case. He has carefully considered all of the facts he possibly has to determine what that sentence is and heB次元官网网址檚 done that,B次元官网网址� Marshall said. B次元官网网址淚 imagine for everybody this is just one more step in the healing process B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 families that have been torn apart by this.B次元官网网址�
West Shore RCMP Const. Alex Berube spoke a little more to that. B次元官网网址淭here will never be a sentence that will bring Sarah back B次元官网网址� All I can say at this point is that it will bring some sort of closure to at least some of the people, everybody will deal with it differently B次元官网网址� WeB次元官网网址檙e still mourning our loss,B次元官网网址� Berube said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very hard for the family, obviously, as you can tell. WeB次元官网网址檙e all human beings B次元官网网址� even the police force. ItB次元官网网址檚 a hard day, thereB次元官网网址檚 no question about it.B次元官网网址�
As for how the department will continue to honour Beckett, he said theyB次元官网网址檝e been doing that everyday since the crash by putting on their uniforms and continuing to protect the community. B次元官网网址淭here will still be impaired drivers out there and weB次元官网网址檒l be there to catch them.B次元官网网址�
Impaired driving has lifelong devastating consequences.
B次元官网网址� West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP)
