Man who dragged gas station attendant Grant De Patie to his death set for release again

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. – He has already been released and re-arrested twice, but next week the man who dragged Maple Ridge, B.C., resident Grant De Patie to his death will be released again.

Next Tuesday, Darnell Pratt will walk out of prison for the third time.

Pratt, now 22, was sentenced to six years and two months for manslaughter and assault causing bodily harm in connection with De Patie’s death.

De Patie, a gas station attendant, was dragged more than seven kilometres under a stolen car when Pratt did a gas-and-dash for $12 worth of fuel on March 8, 2005.

It has been implied repeatedly for seven years that De Patie was trying to stop Pratt from driving off, but leading up to Pratt’s release, De Patie’s mother, Corrine De Patie, disputes that.

“Grant was struck from behind. He was 65 feet from the pumps and was at the end of the driveway, getting the plate number, which was found in his back pocket,” De Patie’s mom explained. “He didn’t try to stop the vehicle, like media has always sensationalized about since the murder. He was hit from behind,” she insisted.

Pratt’s sentence began on May 11, 2006 and will end on July 22 of this year.

He initially received a sentence of seven years and three months, which was reduced on appeal to five years and 10 months. He was also given an additional four-month jail term for assaulting another inmate on Jan. 13, 2008, while awaiting trial in the De Patie case.

Statutory release occurs when an offender has served two-thirds of his jail sentence. That release is mandated by law, and only the conditions, if any, are determined by the parole board.

Pratt’s first statutory release was on June 17, 2010. But that was revoked a couple days later after he failed to return to his halfway house, used drugs or alcohol and associated with criminal peers.

Pratt was then required to serve two-thirds of his remaining sentence.

The second time he was released came about a year later.

That time around, he failed to return to his halfway house, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He turned himself in to police on Nov. 20, 2011.

Pratt’s new statutory release date is next Tuesday, May 1.

Corrine De Patie declined to comment on Pratt’s upcoming release.

“I don’t want to put my health at risk due to any of his movements. I don’t want to know,” she said.

But she is willing to talk about her son and Grant’s Law.

When Grant was killed, his family and friends began a crusade to change the laws regarding employees who are left to work alone at night. The result was Grant’s Law – legislation intended to protect overnight workers at gas stations and convenience stores.

Last week, Grant’s Law was again making news, as WorkSafe BC announced it was softening the rules, issuing new guidelines that employers must follow.

“I think WorkSafe BC was pressured by liquor stores and convenience stores to remove barriers and (the requirement for) two people on (a night shift), and buckled at the knees from that pressure,” Corrine said.

“It puts workers at risk,” she added. “WorkSafe BC says they are not watering down Grant’s Law, they merely added a third option, and that’s rubbish.”

This Saturday is the National Day of Mourning, and the De Paties will be on hand to help others who are dealing with the loss of loved ones.

“Doug and I have been invited by the people of Salmon Arm (B.C.) to give a short speech about injuries and death in the workplace,” she explained.

When asked if she plans to lobby the decision by WorkSafe BC she answered: “I try to stay out of the loop and live my life without Grant, keep to myself, and try to form a healthy new normal. It’s all positive. I have very fond memories of Grant, I really do.”