Victoria Day for most of us conjures up the “2-4 Weekend”, fireworks and this year it will be punctuated by a Monday Royal Visit here in Toronto.
But it came early in Woodstock and London, Ontario.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 was “Victoria’s Day” when Mr. Justice Thomas Heeney sentenced Michael Rafferty to a mandatory life term for kidnapping, raping and murdering Victoria “Tori” Stafford. It’s by no means the last we will hear on the matter.
I expect the whole matter of “excluded evidence” will continue to be debated, as will the questions of reinstating the death penalty and minimum sentences for those found guilty of kidnapping children. There is also the possibility that Michael Rafferty will appeal his conviction. (He has until June 14th to do so.)
The end of the Rafferty trial, however, closes the book on this case for most of us. It ended with the official (foregone) sentencing but that final day in court included Rafferty claiming he was innocent and was punctuated by the victim impact statements from Tori’s family members.
It was emotional and dramatic. Daryn Stafford’s statement stood out for its raw honest perspective – coming from a 14 year old who will never ever get over his little sister’s murder. Remember, he usually walked her home from school. She was abducted on the first day she was allowed to walk home alone.
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Rodney Stafford’s statement was memorable because he referred to Rafferty as a piece of excrement. He apologized for dropping the expletive in court. He was cheered by some in the courtroom in spite of the inappropriate choice of words.
But I was struck by Rob Stafford’s statement. Tori’s uncle managed to not only tell the court and Rafferty what he and his family have endured over the past three years he got to tell Rafferty off.
He never uttered the words but he got the message on the record in a cleverly written statement.
For the last three years our family has struggled with the loss of Tori.
Until now, it was unclear to us how or why this has happened and we have all had questions.
Countless times we as a family have sat and tried to figure it out along with people all across the country, all wanting answers.
Knowing now that this was an act or a crime that didn’t have to take place just leaves everyone even more disgusted.
Your actions that day ended up taking our niece, daughter, cousin, friend from us.
Our lives have changed; we have had to be strong for one another (even when we weren’t feeling strong) throughout this ordeal.
Until now, we didn’t know how long this would go on, but our time is done; your time is just beginning.
Rob Stafford – May 10/12
The message may be hidden but it’s the top-of-mind-to-the-point sentiment most of us would cheer aloud.
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