The Verdict
It has been a few days since July 27, when the guilty verdict was delivered. I apologize for not updating this blog, but frankly, I needed a respite from the discussion. Now, after 4 days of Dubai heat, drinking fabulous Arabian coffee, racing across searing hot sand to plunge into an ocean of 37 degrees, feeling [...]
read moreFinal Day Impressions (Fourteenth Day)
Through the grind Yesterday, felt very anticlimactic. The closing arguments for both sides were heard, there was a bit more bravado and then it ended- rather abruptly, I might add. And then it dawned on me… I may miss the grind. The grind has intensity, passion, intrigue, emotions, and ultimately, in my mind- it was [...]
read moreThirteenth Day Impressions
Pins and Needles Yesterday at 1:30 was high stress for everyone involved: the lawyers, Ms. Berner’s family, our friends and family, Delta PD, the press… that court room was buzzing with the emotions whilst anticipating the decision. What made the decision even more dramatic, was that the court clerk could not log into her computer, [...]
read moreTwelfth Day Impressions
Justice… I can barely write this blog today–and we barely slept last night. How does one wrestle with what is on the table right now; the charges for the death of our child could be dismissed. After twelve days in the court room, over a period of almost 4 weeks, listening to expert and eye [...]
read moreEleventh Day Impressions
What are our standards? Today in the courtroom, we heard some cross examination towards the accident reconstructionist. Again, the argument focused on some inacurracies in the measurements provided from Delta PD. The prosecutors decided not to use the collision report from the Delta PD because the member who prepared the report, Cst. Parker is very [...]
read moreTenth Day Impressions
Speed, indeed…a factor Yesterday we heard testimony from an accident reconstructionist, as to the data obtainable at the scene. He outlined the SDM (Sensing Diagnostic Module) which in layman’s terms would be the loose equivalent of a car’s ‘black box’. Most GM cars have this device, as it records crucial information in the seconds before [...]
read moreNinth Day Impressions
Undercover Angel As much as this trial is an absolute grind, the pieces are all starting to fall into place for me. We heard of the last few undercover scenarios with Ms. Berner, and the details of the arrest. The audio/ video feed that we saw yesterday just confirmed to me that while we were [...]
read moreEighth Day Impressions
The Power of Friends ‘The power of friends‘ kind of summarizes my thoughts for the day. We listened to the undercover operative and how they established and planned scenarios in order to bond or further the friendship with Ms. Berner. The friendship started by smoking cigarettes together, leading to drinks, then shopping, and sharing details [...]
read moreSeventh Day Impressions
‘The administration of justice has not fallen into disrepute.’ Yesterday, the judge ruled that the detention of Ms. Berner in the back of the police car was not in violation of her constitutional rights, and that Constable Swallow was just trying to manage a very chaotic trauma scene. He indicated that Ms. Berner’s injuries were [...]
read moreSixth Day Impressions
Today were the closing arguments for the voir dire ( the case within the case) . As I listened to the arguments put forward by defence… I must say… I really listened. I am an open-minded person, and Mr. Tarnow was using case law to make his points. However, then my anger grew as I [...]
read moreFifth Day Impressions
Today, Constable Sarah Swallow was cross- examined in the defence’s usually posturing/ bullying-like manner. It appears that the same question was asked a number of times, but this may be part of the strategy…trying to find or reveal some sort of inconsistency in the answer. For the gallery, it was a lesson of insult… As [...]
read moreFourth Day Impressions
Today was a tough… I had heard that Ms. Berner had little interest in the condition of Alexa or Daphne. Hearing it, is one thing. Watching the audio and video feed from the observation room at Delta PD when she was awaiting the breathalyzer, was another. Her behaviour was cavalier, and her interests included her [...]
read moreImpressions of the Third Day
Today, there was more testimony from first responders on the scene. There were people who actually tried to help the accused and ensure that she was cared for after the collision. Again, these are the unsung heroes who helped out, left their barbecues and relaxing events of the day, only to be drawn into a [...]
read moreImpressions of the Second Day
Today was a heartbreaker… on so many levels. We heard testimony of the first responders today- those men and women who were just enjoying life on a beautiful Saturday afternoon – barbecues, reading a book , or just visiting with friends. All to be interrupted by the squeal of tires and then the daunting sound [...]
read moreImpressions of Day One
As a family, we are exhausted tonight. It is a mixture of the high emotional content of hearing of Alexa’s passing coupled with observations of the process in the court room. What I struggle with in this process is the fact that the accused is declaring a not-guilty plea based on technicalities of the case. [...]
read moreFirst Day in Court
The day that has been looming on the horizon is now upon us: the first day of the trial for the accused. I know that nothing can bring my sweet Alexa back, but this trial is one piece that we must endure in this road to healing. Crown has respectfully given an overview of the [...]
read moreDove Ceremony- Walk the Walk, May 17, 2009
White is the symbol of pureness and completeness. It represents innocence and hope. Today, we will be releasing a flock of snow white doves to symbolize the souls of all those who have passed on before all of us. Following that flock, 6 doves will be released. These doves symbolically represent hope and forward thinking. [...]
read moreWalk the Walk Speech- Delivered May 17th at Ocean Park Pizza, White Rock, BC
Walking the Walk means doing what you know is right. It is about action- walking means taking a deliberate step. It is conscious, initially, but can eventually becomes second nature. It feels good and natural, to do what is right. Talking is good, but unless accompanied by action of walking, it is fruitless. We want [...]
read moreResponse to The Province
If you have a comment or response to offer after reading the Cassidy Olivier article “The Legacy of Alexa”, in Sunday, May 17th issue The Province, please post your comment here:
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