ASHLEIGH

Before I post anymore about Mexico I wanted to post about the sentencing trial for Ashleigh that took place on December 6. Matt and Mom went, as well as friend's and family of Ashleigh's. Along with the 3 year sentence Terry Walker will not be able to drive for 5 years (when he is out of jail) So that means he will be 54 years of age when he can drive. I am satisfied with the 3years, but hoped he would NEVER drive again. below is the artical from the Campbell River newspaper.

The Mirror
Dec 08 2006

With three times the legal limit of alcohol in his body, Terry Walker drove straight through a red light, at speeds of 70-80 kilometres, and collided with a vehicle driven by Ashleigh Robertson.

A few hours later, the 22-year-old woman died from her injuries at Campbell River hospital.

On Tuesday afternoon, in Campbell River provincial court, Walker, 46, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to impaired driving causing death.

“What I see as aggravating circumstances was you had a very high level of alcohol in your blood...your speed was excessive and you proceeded through a red light with apparently no effort to stop,” said Judge Eldon Iverson. “...I am of the view that denunciation must play a signficant role (in sentencing).”

The tragic car crash occurred Aug. 17, 2005, at the intersection of the Island Highway and Dogwood Street, near the entrance of Discovery Harbour Marina.

Walker, a lifelong alcoholic, had been drinking beer and whiskey at a family barbecue and taking perscription medication for a back injury, when he decided to drive to a friend’s house. A witness told police that Walker was speeding and passed her on the Island Highway shortly before the accident occurred.

Following the accident, another witness opened the door to his vehicle and was met by the strong odour of liquor.

The court heard that Walker has no significant criminal record and no past driving offences. According to his lawyer, Robert Yeo, Walker has a Grade 8 education and left school at age 15 to work in the logging industry.

However, as a result of injuries to his back, he had to quit logging and now works in construction. Walker also lives with his elderly mother and grandmother, and provides care for both of them.

According to Yeo, Walker has struggled with alcoholism for most of his life as has his two brothers and father. As a “seasoned drinker” Walker was able to function with a high blood-alcohol level but made a tragic decision that can never be changed.

“He made the terrible judgement to get behind the wheel and drive...and he killed Ms. Robertson,” Yeo told the court. “She was a completely and utterly innocent party...whose life he took.”

Yeo said Walker is haunted every day by what he’s done and has attempted to make amends by entering a guilty plea and not putting the Robertson family through the ordeal of a trial. Yeo even told his client that there was good defence case but Walker wanted to face the consequences of his actions.

“He couldn’t live with himself if he walked away scot-free,” said Yeo. “He has remorse for Ashleigh, her family and friends...he also sent a letter to the Robertson family. He has made an attempt to apologize but doesn’t know, or expect, they’ll accept it.”

According to Yeo, Walker hasn’t had a drink since the accident and doesn’t intend to consume alcohol again. The defence asked Judge Iverson for a conditional sentence of two years less a day, followed by two years probation and a five-year driving prohibition. However, Crown proseuctor Bruce Goddard said jail time is warranted.

“Denunciation and deterrence will not adequately be addressed by a conditional sentence,” he told the court. He asked to the judge to consider a sentence ranging from two years less a day to five years. In an unrelated case, Judge Iverson recently sentenced a Nanaimo man to four years in prison for killing four members of the Matsunaga-Hiquebran families of Campbell River in a head-on collision near Parksville. In the end, Judge Iverson sentenced Walker to three years in a federal jail to be followed by a five-year driving probhibition. Yeo wouldn’t say if Walker intends to appeal the sentence.