Islanders wondering just what happened in the Haida Gwaii woods

An unusual tale of violence is coming out of the Queen Charlottes as a trio of Islanders were charged with a number of offences, two of whom appeared in Prince Rupert court this past week to answer charges stemming from a various assault in the woods of Haida Gwaii in the early hours of May 23rd.

The third a male juvenile was released into the custody of family members, a situation that has been the topic of much discussion on the Charlottes over the last week. Leading local MLA Gary Coons to press for the justice system to provide vigilance on the issue and for British Columbian’s to learn more about the provisions of the planned amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act and advise their federal representatives and the government in Ottawa about how they feel about the Act and any changes planned for it.

The Daily News attempts to put together the details on the incident with an article in Thursday's paper which explains how the incident has left many Islanders concerned and full of questions.

Alleged assault sends chill through Islands
Police believe man was tortured by three assailants
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Page three

Residents of Haida Gwaii are still reeling from the news of an alleged vicious assault in Queen Charlotte City two weeks ago that reportedly left a 25-year-old man beaten, tortured and tied up naked in the woods.

The man alleges he was brutally accosted by three men in the early morning hours of May 23, and says in addition to the beating, his assailants attempted to hang him.

Queen Charlotte RCMP received a report of the assault at approximately 3 a.m. on the Friday morning, and with the assistance of the RCMP Serious Crime investigators and armed with search warrants, officers quickly gathered evidence and arrested three male suspects believed to have been responsible for the attack.

Two of three suspects charged were transported to Prince Rupert on May 27 and appeared in court Mon. June 2.

Michael Peterson and Jimmy Lavallee, both of Queen Charlotte City, face charges of kidnapping, forcible confinement, uttering threats, assault causing bodily harm, and theft.

They are next scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert Provincial Court on Mon. June 9.

The third suspect is a male youth who was released into the custody of family members, a decision that left the alleged victim and others in the community questioning the decision.

North Coast MLA Gary Coons has received letters from constituents on the islands expressing concern that a suspect accused of such serious crimes could be released into the custody of his parents and not be held until his trial.

“I feel horrible for his parents; however I’m a parent myself and am concerned for the safety of my children , friends and neighbours,” said one concerned citizen in a letter to Coons.

“We no longer feel a sense of security with this young man free.. (the victim) shouldn’t have to be scared to leave his home, he’s been through enough.”

Coons said the incident is very disturbing, and although the judge’s decision to release the youth suspect was felt by many to be inappropriate, he feels that the conditions of release must be strictly enforced.

“Clearly, public safety must come first, and the community deserves assurances it is the number one priority,” said Coons.

“The RCMP must be vigilant to ensure that all conditions are met, and any breach of those conditions must result in immediate consequences. This horrific crime must be dealt with seriously and those already in custody must remain so until this is sorted out and dealt with in the courts.”

The MLA pointed out that Bill C-25, An Act to Amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is currently in the House of Commons, and if passed would strengthen the provisions of the Act on pre-trial detention and sentencing.

Bill C-25 has already passed first and second readings and is now before a Justice and Human Rights Committee.

The amendments to the YCJA for pre-trial sentencing would add several additional circumstances under which a judge may order that a young person be held in custody before their trial, including when they are “charged with committing an offence that endangered the public by creating a substantial likelihood of serious bodily harm to another person.,” as well as, “when there is substantial likelihood that the young person, if released from custody, commit a violent offence or an offence that otherwise endangers the public by creating a substantial likelihood of serious bodily harm to another person.”

“This is an opportune time for the public to study the legislation, especially as it relates to the Nunn Commission’s recommendations which resulted in a public inquiry into the YCJA, a let our federal politicians know where we stand,” said Coons.“I know I will do my due diligence and study this legislation.”