Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, June 01, 2012

Page 1

Up front: Chief Alphonse says help is on the way News: Three months later Doupe Road still in a deep hole

page 3 page 5

For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905

Friday, June 1, 2012

Andrew Leong

Graduate Jacqueline Agnew dances solo to Hard Rains Are Gonna Fall during the dance presentation of Steps Ahead Performing @ Home IX at the T. Gil Bunch Centre for Performing Arts last weekend. For a photo slideshow check out the entertaiment tab at cowichannewsleader.com.

Two years’ jail time for fatal drunk-driving crash angers victim’s family Raymond Sam: Judge issues three years probation and five-year driving ban after driver pleads guilty in the 2009 crash that killed Linda Emrick Krista Siefken

News Leader Pictorial

T

he man convicted of driving drunk when he caused the crash that killed a Sahtlam woman will spend two years, less one day, in jail. Raymond Sam was sentenced by B.C. Supreme Court Judge Robert Johnston Wednesday afternoon in Duncan. Sam was also handed a three-year probation order, as well as a ¿ve-year driving ban. The crash killed 47-year-old Linda Emrick.

“My daughter,” said Emrick’s mother, Marion Hagel, as she left the courtroom. “She’s worth more than two years. “I’ll never stop loving her.” Emrick’s family shared tears and even anger outside the courtroom, clearly unhappy with Sam’s sentence. Sam’s family was also at Wednesday’s sentencing, and sat beside him as he stood to receive Johnston’s decision. In his pre-sentence comments, Johnston said Sam had about 3 1/2 times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood when he made an illegal

left turn from Brenton Page Road onto the Trans-Canada Highway on June 6, 2009. Emrick, who was driving a motorcycle, had no opportunity to avoid colliding with Sam’s vehicle, and died at the scene from the injuries she sustained in the crash. Johnston also noted Sam’s troubled upbringing and problems with alcohol abuse. Johnston said Sam, 50, has abused alcohol since his teen years. Both Sam, and his mother, were victims of residential schools and suffered from alcoholism. Sam witnessed violent attacks by his father

on his mother, and was “physically, sexually and culturally” abused in residential school. “Alcoholism is a disease. It is not a character Àaw,” Johnston said, adding in Sam’s case alcoholism can be largely attributed to systemic and individual factors, and that it is “not a sign of lack of remorse.” Johnston also noted Sam has no previous criminal history, but had four separate 24hour driving prohibitions. “These suggest there were some warning signs,” Johnston told the court. more on A4

Trucks starting at

Peter Baljet

If you own a 2008-2010 1500 Series GM, Ford or Dodge $20,696.00 PLUS Pick-UP truck and currently owe money on it... you 0% need to come in and see us. You may be eligible to lower Financing (72 months) your payment and save thousands in interest. 6300 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan

|

Sales & Service 250-746-7131

|

Bodyshop 250-748 4370 |

Parts 250-746-4466

www.peterbaljetgm.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, June 01, 2012 by Black Press Media Group - Issuu