It香蕉视频直播檚 been seven years of anguish, frustration and a constant battle for justice for the families of Derek Descoteau and Janelle Guyatt.

On May 20, 2016, Descoteau was stabbed to death while at his father香蕉视频直播檚 residence in Chemainus. Guyatt, his girlfriend, suffered serious knife wounds but survived. The pair had been eating lunch and watching a movie when a shirtless man appeared holding a knife, then started slashing.

Colin John, found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder March 20 after a long court process, has a B.C. Review Board hearing Wednesday that香蕉视频直播檚 adding more fuel to the fire for the families.

Descoteau香蕉视频直播檚 mom Brenda Smith and aunt Kristina Tkackuk, along with Janelle香蕉视频直播檚 mom Leah Guyatt, are making the trip to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam where John is housed for the hearing.

The three of them are prepared to read victim impact statements, but it won香蕉视频直播檛 be to the extent they originally intended.

香蕉视频直播淲e all got our redacted copies of what we香蕉视频直播檙e allowed to say,香蕉视频直播� noted Tkachuk.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 disheartening,香蕉视频直播� said Guyatt. 香蕉视频直播淵ou香蕉视频直播檙e not really able to say what you truly feel. It香蕉视频直播檚 got to be sugar-coated.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淲e feel like we香蕉视频直播檙e suppressed every time we turn around,香蕉视频直播� added Tkachuk.

There香蕉视频直播檚 no a guarantee the three will have their say at all, other than the written statements, with John expected to be in attendance to hear it. They香蕉视频直播檝e been told it香蕉视频直播檚 only if time permits and the hearing must be concluded at 4 p.m. that day, with no extensions.

There are many other victim impact statements from family and friends. Family members have been told by Crown that all Review Board members are obligated to read them before the hearing.

The Review Board panel will consist of psychiatrists, a community member such as a social worker and lawyers for the Crown and defence.

香蕉视频直播淭hey discuss what香蕉视频直播檚 gone on with him while he香蕉视频直播檚 been there,香蕉视频直播� Tkachuk explained.

The Review Board has taken over jurisdiction of the accused and must make a decision within a month, by June 17, with one of three possible outcomes: an absolute discharge; a conditional discharge; or detention in custody in a hospital.

Those plausible outcomes have the families outraged since it means John could still be out within a year even with the third option when his case would be reviewed again.

香蕉视频直播淪eriously, he will be out by next year if he shows empathy,香蕉视频直播� stated Smith.

This case took what seemed like a dramatic turn in December of 2021 when John pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Descoteau and a downgraded charge of aggravated assault against Janelle Guyatt.

A subsequent court appearance led Justice Lisa Warren to order a pre-sentence report and then an application by the defence for a not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder determination came out of the blue.

That resulted in another series of hearings in 2022 and stretching into March of 2023 when Warren read a lengthy statement in which she agreed the assessment of John left him not criminally responsible for the death of Descoteau.

香蕉视频直播淲e asked for an appeal,香蕉视频直播� said Smith. 香蕉视频直播淭hey had the regional Crown review and there won香蕉视频直播檛 be an appeal.香蕉视频直播�

The determination not to appeal was made by deputy regional Crown Counsel Joel Gold, but the families don香蕉视频直播檛 feel his review of the case was adequate.

香蕉视频直播淲e still want an appeal,香蕉视频直播� Smith reiterated.

She feels a second set of eyes needs to look more closely at all the facts.

香蕉视频直播淲e need petitions,香蕉视频直播� said Smith. 香蕉视频直播淗e is a dangerous person. He could be back living in our little town of Chemainus. We could go over there on Wednesday and he could get partial discharge. We香蕉视频直播檙e fearful for all the Chemainus community.香蕉视频直播�

Smith wonders all the time about what life would have been like if Derek hadn香蕉视频直播檛 been taken away.

香蕉视频直播淚 thought I香蕉视频直播檇 be having little Derek babies running around,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Life香蕉视频直播檚 been equally hard for the Guyatts. Janelle is now 23, but has been impacted heavily by four surgeries.

香蕉视频直播淪he lives with a disability,香蕉视频直播� said her mother Leah. 香蕉视频直播淚 think she personally decided enough was enough (surgeries). She香蕉视频直播檚 a young adult now and I let her be that way.香蕉视频直播�

The resolve all the family members have shown has made their bond stronger.

香蕉视频直播淭his is the only good thing that香蕉视频直播檚 come out of this is the group,香蕉视频直播� said Tkachuk.

The anniversary of Derek香蕉视频直播檚 death will be marked as it is each year with a visit to the DD memorial site on the Pacific Marine Circle Route between Mesachie Lake and Port Renfrew that includes tributes to Derek香蕉视频直播檚 brother Dustin, who died three years earlier in a car accident,

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 just so hard,香蕉视频直播� summed up Smith. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e caught up in this anxiety and stress.香蕉视频直播�

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
Like us on and follow us on .