The country’s judicial system is failing the family of Const. Sarah Beckett, who was killed in a crash on duty in 2016.
This Thursday marked the eighth time that the case against Kenneth Jacob Fenton was delayed.
The charges brought against Fenton include impaired driving and flight from police, which caused the deadly crash that killed the 32-year-old Beckett on April 5th, 2016.
The RCMP Constable’s immediate family includes her husband, Brad Aschenbrenner and two young sons, who have had no closure for the past year because of how slowly the trial has been dragging on.
“Despite the passage of over a year, Mr. Fenton has not entered a plea and our family has no closure. We are left to wonder who is standing up for Sarah, who died serving the people of Canada? Who is looking out for police officers who put their lives at risk every day?” says her husband.
The family is thankful for the support from the community and the RCMP during this long wait.
Fenton’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 18th.
The Beckett family released this full statement yesterday:
“Over one year ago, Const. Sarah Beckett, my wife and the mother of our two young children, was killed by a motor vehicle operated by Kenneth Jacob Fenton. Today, our family was further dismayed that the case against Mr. Fenton was adjourned for the eighth time.
As a family, we continue to be victimized by a judicial system that doesn’t adequately consider the interests of those harmed. Despite the passage of over a year, Mr. Fenton has not entered a plea and our family has no closure. We are left to wonder who is standing up for Sarah, who died serving the people of Canada? Who is looking out for police officers who put their lives at risk every day?
This matter should be resolved not on the basis of what is expedient but on the basis of what is right.
We would like to thank everyone who has provided support to our family over the past year. We are particularly grateful to Sarah’s RCMP family for all that they have done.
Thank you.”
