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04/04/07
The Extinction of Justice in Canada
By Lee Hanlon
In May of 2005 Darnell Pratt committed a gas and dash killing 24 year old gas attendant Grant De Patie. Prior to the gas and dash Pratt had been drinking. He stole a Chrysler Le Baron then went to a local Esso gas station in Maple Ridge, put about $12 dollars worth in the tank and drove off without paying.
De Patie made an attempt to stop Pratt, and in the process Pratt ran him over. De Patie got trapped under the vehicle and was dragged at least 7 km to his death.
At the time of sentencing Pratt was 17, however since he was sentenced as an adult the publication ban on his identification was lifted.
The original charge was second degree murder; however, after pleading guilty the politico prosecutor reduced the charge to manslaughter. At trial Pratt was sentenced to 9 years. However, recently, the BC Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to 7 years, which means he could be released in the next three years.
There were no other charges laid against Pratt. In a perfect world Pratt would have been charged with impaired driving causing death, second degree murder, theft over $5000 in relation to the stolen vehicle, and theft under $5000 in relation to the stolen gas.
In regard to impaired driving causing death (criminal code, section 255[3]), the sentence is life, in regard to theft over $5000 (criminal code, section 334[a]), the sentence should have been at least ten years. In regard to theft under $5000 (criminal code, 334[b][ii], the sentence should have been six months plus a $2000 fine. And of course, in relation to second degree murder (criminal code, 235[1]), the sentence should have been the automatic life term.
Unfortunately, Pratt was ultimately charged with manslaughter, and according to criminal code, section 236[b], the sentence is life.
And once again the Canadian Criminal Courts show their true colors by ignoring the rights of the victims. Justice once again has been denied, and all because Pratt is an aboriginal who had a rough family life.