Thursday November 22, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 94)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Christmas present: The holiday season is fast approaching, and residents have started to get into the spirit, with Christmas on the Peninsula set for this weekend, and the Christmas Day dinner seeking volunteers. › see pages A11, A31
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Toddler’s mother speaks out, as Appeal Court upholds convictions
Drunk driver’s fate ‘inconsequential’ Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Two years after launching an appeal of her impaired and dangerous-driving convictions, Carol Berner was put in jail to begin serving her sentence for causing the death of toddler Alexa Middelaer. But her incarceration this week was short. Hours after B.C. Court of Appeal Justice Kathryn Neilson announced the decision to dismiss Berner’s appeal, the 60-year-
old – who had been free on bail pending the decision – was granted release pending an appeal of her sentence. The date of that hearing is expected to be determined later this week, Crown John Gordon said, noting appeal court Justice Catherine Ryan indicated she wants it heard before the end of March. The dismissal of Berner’s convictions appeal was heard in Vancouver chambers Tuesday. Gordon said outside court that he was
not surprised by the decision. “This is good,” Gordon told Peace Arch News. “All of the convictions were upheld.” In July 2010, Berner was found guilty of two counts of dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm and two counts of impaired driving causing death and bodily harm, after losing control of her car on a Delta street in May 2008, striking and killing Alexa. The four-year-old, who attended pre-
school in Crescent Beach, had been feeding a horse at the side of the road with her aunt, Daphne Johanson, who was seriously injured in the collision. Berner was sentenced to 2½ years in prison and a five-year driving ban. Her appeal was heard on Nov. 10, 2011. At that time, defence lawyer David Tarnow asked the three Appeal Court justices to acquit his client or call Carol Berner for a new trial. appealing sentence › see page A4
Evan Seal photos
A procession of RCMP officers marches towards the Langley Events Centre for the funeral of fallen officer Adrian Oliver, twin of Ben Oliver (left).
Surrey officer’s funeral attended by thousands
World’s forces help RCMP bid farewell Thousands of RCMP officers and police from other forces – some as far away as Australia – marched in the rain Tuesday to honour fallen Surrey RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver. The 28-year-old Oliver received a full regimental funeral at the Langley Events Centre, a memorial second only in significance and ceremony to a state funeral. When the marchers arrived at the centre, eight officers removed their regulation stetsons and carried his casket on their shoulders into the arena with slow, careful steps. Also in attendance were customs officers, border guards, sheriffs, municipal police officers,
Faith
firefighters, paramedics, coast guard “He was kinder, funnier, more conmembers, fisheries officers and numersiderate and more generous than me, ous provincial, federal and internaand I strived every day to become a tional dignitaries. fraction of the man Adrian was,” Ben The three-year member of the Sursaid. rey detachment died when his police When they were growing up together, cruiser collided with a semi-trailer the two brothers both planned to truck at 64 Avenue and 148 Street early become Mounties and live across the in the morning of Nov. 13. street from each other. Ben Oliver, Adrian’s twin brother and It was a commitment fulfilled six Adrian Oliver a fellow RCMP officer, spoke at the months ago, when Ben became the service. next-door neighbour of his brother and spouse “I have lost my best friend in the entire world,” Shelagh Mitchell, who is also an RCMP officer. he told the audience in the 5,500-seat arena. › see page A10
an invitation to worship
IN WHITE ROCK AND SOUTH SURREY ON PAGE 46 IN THIS ISSUE
BORDER GOLD CORP.