Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 12, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba By Stephanie Levitz and Greg Joyce n new Westminster b. The families of serial killer Robert pick tones victims cheered tuesday when a judge ordered him to serve the harshest sentence available in Law. Justice James Williams ordered the port Coquitlam b. C., pig Farmer to serve a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years for his conviction on six counts of second degree murder. For the families it was a euphoric end to a gruelling Day that saw reporters lawyers and victims families overcome with emotion As the Crown read heart wrenching victim Impact statements. Or. Pick tones conduct was murderous and repeatedly so Williams said. I cannot know the details of what happened. I do know this each of these women were murdered and their remains were dismembered. What happened to them was senseless and despicable. Under the Law Williams could have allowed Pickton to apply for full parole in As Little As 10 years though his lawyer suggested 15 to 20 years. Pickton was originally charged with first degree murder in the killings of six women head lured to his farm from Vancouver res downtown Eastside with promises of drugs or Money. But after a 10 month trial the jury came Back sunday with a verdict of second degree murder on All counts. His lawyers suggested he serve Only 15 to 20 years before being eligible for parole. In passing sentence Williams said that despite their troubled lives the women were members of the Community who found themselves in positions of extreme vulnerability. Williams referred to the 18 victim Impact statements he heard from the parents and children of the dead women people whose lives have been altered and forever changed by these murders. Or. Pickton there is really nothing that i can say to adequately express the revulsion that the Community feels about these killings. Rick Frey whose daughter Marnie was among pick tones victims smiled As he left the courtroom with a arnies Stepmother Lynn after hearing the sentence. Thatus great thatus Good thatus what we wanted said Frey displaying a hand drawn t shirt that Bill boarded the six guilty verdicts. We did not think wed get that but yeah its perfect. Frey said Pickton who seemed emotionless during the Daylong sentencing hearing gave families no sign when Williams ensured he be Able to try for parole until he was 83. Still no reaction on his face said Frey. A Little redder. Justice has been served added Lynn Frey. The former head of the rom pcs missing a omens task Force whose investigation led to pick tones arrest in 2002, said he Felt better after tuesdays sentencing than the letdown of sundays second degree murder convictions. It feels Fuller than the other Day said staff sgt. Wayne Clary. Its what we at the police Felt should have been All along and were there now. Were going to move Forward and enjoy tonight. The victims relatives and even reporters dissolved into tears and the Crown prosecutor choked up As he read the victim Impact statements at the hearing. But if those who addressed the serial killer directly hoped for some response Pickton a snot talking though his lawyer told court he has things to say. Pickton leaned Forward in the prisoners Box when the judge offered him a Chance to speak. But his lawyer Peter Ritchie stood up to say the defence had advised Pickton not to because of the upcoming trial on charges Pickton murdered another 20 women. So he has nothing to say Williams asked. He does said Ritchie. He wishes to speak but hers accepted advice not to. Pickton was convicted of killing Frey Sereena Abo Tsway Andrea Joesbury Mona Wilson Brenda Wolfe and Georgina Papin. If the teardrops i shed made a pathway to heaven i would walk All the Way Elaine Belanger said in her statement. Her daughter Brenda Wolfe was among pick tones victims. I really want to know what happened to my daughter in the final hour of her life. Theress a pain in my heart that will not heal. Belanger said her elder adviser has told her she must forgive Pickton but she wrote to Pickton its impossible to forgive you. Crown prosecutor Mike Petrie read be Langers statement As Well As those of several other family members. Wolfes 14 year old daughter wrote she does not deserve to have Good things happen in her life and worries Shell end up like her Mother. She wrote she has been tortured by thoughts of what her Mother was thinking in her last moments of life and wonders what Pickton was thinking of her Mother. The girl who was identified in court Only As a wrote that if she count on her Mother to be there who could she count on. Wolfes partial Jawbone was found on pick tones farm. Lynn Frey stood in the witness Box and read a statement from Brittney Frey her granddaughter. Part of Marnie freyts Jawbone was found on the Pickton property. Daughter Brittney 15, directed her letter to Pickton. Or. Pickton Why did you Hurt my real Mother and those other women i have to go through each Day. I ask myself what would it be like if my real Mother were Here. Or. Pickton Why did you do that when you took her from me it was like ripping out my heart. The Canadian press top news Winnipeg free press wednesday december 12, 2007 a5 Winnipeg repress. Com wow. Winnipeg repress. Com classified is on line at $ 490 / Eye ask about our lowest Price guarantee starting at prices subject to change without prior notice. Prices May vary based on prescription strength. Applicable to surgery on both eyes. Free consultation 204.989.2221 or. Richard Bains or. John Van Der Zweep or. Richard Leger my of Csc dip. 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By Joan Bryden Ottawa prime minister Stephen harpers government won commons approval late tuesday for emergency legislation aimed at bypassing Canadas nuclear safety watchdog and putting a Swift end to a critical shortage of medical isotopes. Following frantic behind the scenes negotiations All parties agreed to fast track the legislation through the commons in one evening. Despite some initial concerns by liberals that the Bill would undermine the country is Independent nuclear safety regulator All parties eventually voiced support for it after hearing from experts during an unusual late night hearing in the commons. The government agreed to Amend the Bill to make it More palatable to liberals specifying that the Canadian nuclear safety commission maintains its authority to regulate atomic Energy of Canada Ltd except for this one limited instance. The Bill must still be passed by the Liberal dominated Senate which will Likely Deal with it swiftly today. The Bill forced politicians to make a Choice Between the immediate health concerns of canadians who cant get life saving medical tests and the potential health concerns that could arise in the event of a nuclear Accident. It allows decl to immediately restart its 50 year old reactor at Chalk River ont., which produces half the worlds Supply of radioisotopes used in diagnostic cancer and cardiology tests. The oversight role of the Csc which found serious safety concerns last month will effectively be suspended for 120 Days. Harper asserted theress no risk of a nuclear Accident and dismissed the commission As a Bunch of Liberal Hacks who dont care about the health of canadians whose medical tests have been cancelled due to the isotopes shortage. The government has Independent advice indicating there is no safety concern with the reactor Harper told the commons. On the contrary what we do know is that the continuing actions of the Liberal appointed nuclear safety commission will jeopardize the health and safety and lives of tens of thousands of canadians. Liberals questioned harpers expertise and wondered whether head take the blame if a nuclear Accident should occur at Chalk River. There will be no nuclear Accident declared Harper unequivocally. The Chalk River reactor is North americans Only source of the base isotope used for most medical diagnostic tests. The isotope is used to create images and treatments for a Range of illnesses including heart problems and cancers. The reactor closed on nov. 18 for maintenance. It was scheduled to open five Days later but remained shut Down to install safety equipment. It was not expected to return to full production until mid january. The reactor was shut Down after the Csc discovered that decl had been operating it for a year without the required emergency Power system connected to two Cooling pumps. Csc director general Barclay Howden refused to comment on harpers characterization of the commission As a repository for Liberal cronies but said the commissions decisions Are based on advice of professional engineers and scientists who work to the highest standards of nuclear safety and professional conduct. Howden said the commissions sole mandate is to ensure nuclear safety in Canada. In this Case he said the Chalk River reactors main Cooling pumps must have Power at All times under any conditions regardless of whether its earthquake fire flood or Tornado to ensure that the Core does not melt Down. Overall its a key upgrade and therefore its key to nuclear safety he said in an interview. Decl has proposed an interim fix hooking up one pump to the emergency Power Supply while work is completed on the second pump. The Canadian press isotope shortage rectified commons passes Bill to bypass regulator ;