Ponoka News, July 17, 2013

Page 1

Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 2008 Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Vol. 65, No. 29

403-783-3311

editorial@ponokanews.com

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DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF PONOKA

Teen given probation for school threat “The words were a crime. He chose to make those words.” Prosecutor Sheila Joyce By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye The high school senior who threatened gun violence against his classmates via text message last Christmas has been sentenced to 12 months probation. Activities were cancelled at Ponoka Composite High School Dec. 21 after a student received a text message from the 17-year-old youth who pleaded guilty May 8 to making threats against the school — just one week after a violent shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. The youth’s sentencing was adjourned to July 12 at the Ponoka courthouse where Judge James Hunter heard arguments for the severity of the punishment. Crown prosecutor Sheila Joyce presented the circumstances of the case and the content of the text message that closed the school. A friend of the youth received this text Dec. 20: “I recommend not going to school tomorrow. Just some friendly advice.” “It was definitely by the young person. This was a threat,” stated Joyce. The recipient of the text responded several times by asking why but no answer was forthcoming. In the morning of the next day, school started and principal Ian Rawlinson received word of the threat, explained Joyce. Police were notified and they attended the home of the youth, where firearms were found. “He did have access to firearms in the context of a hobby,” the prosecutor explained.

The actions by the school and Mounties was appropriate to the threat but because of the youth’s lack of criminal history, Joyce did not think he should be sentenced to house arrest. “I’m not going to submit for a custodial period but asking probation for one year.” Provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act state the sentence must not result in a punishment that is greater than that for an adult, explained defense lawyer Kevin Lesler. He asked Hunter to consider the act with regard to the Ponoka youth. In response, Joyce pointed out the shooting in Connecticut. “They are words uttered after a tragic set of circumstances…uttered over text messaging,” she explained. “The words were a crime. He chose to make those words.” “His degree of responsibility is high,” she added. A guilty plea should not be understated however and Joyce’s hope was that nothing else such as the threat would occur in the youth’s future. She suggested community service would be a meaningful way to provide reparations for the community. Lesler argued the youth, who is now 18, has paid a significant price for the text message. He spent the night in jail and had strict recognizance with the police. Starting Dec. 23 the youth had to check in with police in person and had a 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. curfew daily. “He has not breached those conditions,” explained Lesler. He missed graduation, was not

allowed near schools and was required to ask permission before leaving town. “It disrupted his entire life.” Despite these restrictions, the youth tried to get on with his studies through special programming at Wolf Creek Public Schools and he has started a job out of town. “He seems to take responsibility for his actions,” he said. Lesler believes the full consequences of that text were not fully realized by the youth at the time but having lost the ability to see his friends and take part in school activities has given him a better understanding. “It shifted his focus and work on what

was important.” “Ponoka is a small town with all the social dynamics that go with it…He still remains isolated in the community as a result of this.” He asked Hunter to consider the youth be discharged under conditions and provided letters and a recent case for consideration. The judge was annoyed at being presented with the additional information without being able to study it prior to sentencing. “Without having sent them to the court ahead of time…It’s unfair to the court and unfair to the client,” said Hunter. Continued on page 2

Warm welcome: Lacoka Locos novice player Reid Grant makes a strong hit against a competitor during the lacrosse provincial championships at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex July 13. Teams played in Lacombe and Ponoka. For the story and more photos, Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye please see pages 20 and 21.

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