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August 5, 198% News 985-2131

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23

Grieving mom feels system let her down

THE BEREAVED Nova Scotian mother of a woman killed in North Vancouver in May by a hit-and-run driver charges her family has been ill-served by the judicial system.

Shirley Roger’s daughter, An- drea Joy Rogers, 26, was killed just before 11:50 p.m. May 25 while returning to her Chamberlain Drive home from a job working with the mentally handicapped at Lynn Valley House.

She was found fying in’ the 1300-block of Doran Road. Rogers had suffered massive head injuries and died at Lions Gate Hospital 412 hours after the accident.

Police recovered a car, believed to have been the vehicle which

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“Once the law knew that the kid would be pleading guilty, the police stopped investivating the cause. A lot of people just weren't interviewed, "”

— Shirley Rogers

struck Rogers, the following day. The car was owned by a 17-year- old North Vancouver youth, The youth had reported the car stolen earlier Uhat day.

The youth pleaded guilty in June to charges of failing to stop at the scene of an accident and public mischief. Sentencing is set for Sept. 2.

A North Vancouver RCMP spokesinan said the youth claimed he had been resetting his car radio while driving and admitted to see- ing Rogers in the distance. The car allegedly veered into Rogers while he was setting the radio.

The spokesman said the youth panicked and left the scene. The youth came forward the following day after police had recovered the car.

In addition to the two charges to which the young offender pleaded guilty, initial charges proposed 1o Crown counsel by police included charges of dangerous driving caus- ing death, criminal negligence causing death, driving without due care and attention, and operating

By MICH

an improperly-equipped vehicle.

Said Shirley Rogers: “As far as the law is concerned, he'll get a stap on the wrist.

“Once the flaw knew that the hid would be pleading guilty, the police stopped investigating the ease, A Jot of people just weren't interviewed. A neighbor heard the car revving up just before my daughter was struck, We're just hot happy with the investigation itt alf.?*

Just as the agcused had the right to choose his awn Uo repre. sentation for the case, Rogers believes her family should have had the right to choose legal repre- sentaGon on their behalf rather than having the Crown appoint counsel,

“You never realize how lite help there is for the victim. [ feel the law is acting im a way lo destroy the victim. [ would hiave sold my house if [ could have found a lawyer who really would have taken an interest. [really want to know what happened to my daughter that night.”

Said) Noreen Provost, coor- ainator of the North Shore based Citizens United for Safety and Justice: “The fact that nothing was mentioned in’ the charges about death is absolutely unbelievable, EP you are old enough to drive, you should be held accountable and raised to adult court.”

Provost said the Crown appoints counsel because a criminal offence is considered a crime against socie- ty. ‘‘The family is considered by the courts to be a witness.”

The Rogers family has establish- ed a memorial fund to purchase an electric wheelchair for a disabled woman living at Lynn Valley House.

Donations may be sent to the Andrea Joy Rogers Memorial Fund, RR#3 Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5B2.

Dealer ‘PAGES 27-33

NEWS photo Mike Wakelield JOAN McDONALD tidies up her prize-winning garden for this weekend’s Award- winning Gardens Tour. Six top North Shore gardens will be open for viewing. North Shore Garden Contest coordinator Dan Daszkowski makes notes in the background. For more information on the tour see story page 24.

Concerns raised over ing field safety: 3.

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