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By
Carol deDelley
In
the beginning whenever I
saw a greyhound bus I felt
physically ill. Now every
time I see a Greyhound bus,
I wave and say, “Hi
Tim,” because I have
had to train my mind to
think of it as a way of
Timothy letting me know
that he is okay now.
Whenever
we have a moment of happiness
or joy, whether it’s
a funny joke or TV program,
we smile laugh or giggle
then feelings of guilt immediately
follow because what is there
to smile about? We know
that life has to go on but
it is very difficult.
Treatment
or Punishment ?
Why
not both? In a violent crime
such as this one, the question
here in Canada becomes:
Treatment or Punishment?
I
believe that treatment and
punishment should go hand
in hand. I do not believe
that treatment will “heal”
Mr. Li, and I do not believe
that Mr. Li should ever,
and I repeat ever, be permitted
to walk amongst us as a
free man, ever again. It
could be your child, your
loved one or you yourself
that he loses it on next
time. What possible assurance
could we ever have that
he wouldn’t repeat
this unbelievably violent
behaviour.
Is it possible that this
is a result of cutbacks
to funding for mental health
issues? I don’t know.
Let’s not forget, however,
that Mr. Li DID commit this
horrific murder, beheading
and cannibalization UNPROVOKED.
And yes I believe he needs
to be held RESPONSIBLE for
that.
Fit
to stand trial. Fit for
punishment.
Treatment
in a locked facility for
the rest of his life, period.
No parole, no good behavior,
nothing. He took an innocent
life, was completely unprovoked
and we need to send a message
that this is not OK and
will NOT be tolerated.
My
son Timothy lost his life
and our lives will never
be the same without him
being a part of it. The
horror that took place on
that bus has created so
much fear…the randomness
of it…The fear of all
the other passengers who
actually witnessed it, the
visions that are forever
burned in their memories
and will haunt them always.
The
children that were there
that night, I can’t
even imagine the nightmares
they all must be having,
they are forever damaged,
their innocence gone. They
are all Mr. Li’s living
victims and he must be held
accountable for that as
well. I want it to be very
clear that under our current
laws it is possible that
Mr. Li could be released
some day.
Most
people believe that he will
be locked up and the key
thrown away. NOT TRUE!!!
In fact if he is found not
criminally responsible,
my family will have to attend
a yearly review of Mr Li’s
mental condition.
How
is that justice?
That
is unbelievable and unacceptable!
Would you want this person
medically treated or not
who has demonstrated this
level of violence towards
another human being, settling
down in your neighborhood,
ever, at any time in the
future? I know I don’t.
Under
our current Judicial system
Mr. Li will likely continue
to receive medical treatment
and he will be studied.
I believe that if he is
able to remain aware of
exactly what he did to another
human being ( My son) than
so be it.
He
needs to be in a locked
facility where he can think
about it everyday for the
rest of his life. THAT IS
HIS PUNISHMENT!!! He still
has a life and his victim
does not. I believe this
is a “NO BRAINER!”
Locked
up for Life
Timothy’s
23rd birthday would have
been Oct 3, 2008. We had
his favorite foods for dinner
and a cake with good friends,
but Timothy wasn’t
there and he never will
be again. Myself and my
family are seeking JUSTICE
for Timothy. MERCY for ourselves.
We should not have to go
through Mr. Li’s review
process each year instead
of a birthday party. And
SAFETY for all of us.
Most
of all we are gathering
here tonight to raise awareness
that this is what this family
now faces and what other
parents could be facing
in the future if these laws
are not changed. Please
help me to be the voice
that says “NOT GOOD
ENOUGH, NOT ACCEPTABLE and
definitely NOT JUSTICE!!!!!”
A
change needs to come from
this tragedy, a change for
improvements to many of
our current systems because
they failed Timothy and
they are failing
all of us. I believe we
are all fed up with violent
criminals continuing to
get away with or getting
lenient sentences for outrageous
and violent crimes against
others. There have been
too many cases of violent
criminals being incarcerated,
treated and released, only
to re-offend.
Enough
is Enough
I
am inspired and strengthened
by all the support and prayers
from everyone here, across
the country and across the
world. My sons horrific
murder happened so that
everyone would be paying
attention. Could this be
the start of the greater
good that’s supposed
to come from something this
devastating?? M
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