I am writing in regard to an June 20 article (Man Who Admitted Killing Girlfriend Gets Four Years) by the Canadian Press, which refers to a ridiculous prison sentence handed out to a man who admittedly, murdered his girlfriend.

Harvey Bracken was handed a four-year prison sentence for the murder of Jennifer Ferguson whose body was found wrapped in plastic a few days after she was reported missing by her family in January 2011.

It was with little surprise when I read about this sentence, yet I felt outrage and shame.

Outrage at the injustice of this sentence. Outrage for the contempt the justice system displayed for the family of Bracken's victim. Shame for the lack of public outcry at this shameful display of Canadian justice.

I mean, how could we be any more shocked by this than we were with the Allan Schoenborn trial? The judge said at the time there was no doubt that he murdered his kids and then found him not criminally responsible. His mental capacity is very limited apparently, but if that is the case, it certainly doesn't speak well for the RCMP who were unable to find him hiding in the forest around Merritt in 2008.

A parole board is already set to send him on the way to freedom even though actual doctors have stated he still has anger issues. So, who is it again that has limited mental capacity?

Of course, it isn't just in B.C. that the justice system is a farce. Guy Turcotte in Quebec a few years ago murdered his children about the same time that Schoenborn did and he is also on the fast track to freedom.

What is insane is the justice system. A life sentence is 25 years. That means they can be out in 12 years, or maybe even sooner, to murder again if some parole board sees fit.

This seems to be the case we see unfolding in Nova Scotia where convicted killer Christopher Alexander Falconer has been charged with the murder of teenager Amber Kirwan. Falconer was convicted of murdering a cab driver and sentenced to "life" in 1998.

Ya, some experts on a parole panel turned him loose after 12 years and he is arrested and charged with this young woman's death. I believe that if he is in fact found guilty of Amber's death, the parole panel needs to be held as accountable as he is because they are accessories before the fact. They are as responsible for this girl’s death as Falconer is.

Bracken was sentenced to doue years in prison. What that actually translates to in actual "prison" time is likely another slap in the face for Jennifer’s family.

This four-year sentence has to be appealed. This judge needs to be fired; this system needs to be fixed.
This disregard for common sense, this lack of respect for victims, this stink coming from the "justice system" needs to be repaired.

I urge Minister of Justice Shirley Bond, I beg her: Fix this injustice. Act on behalf of the citizens of B.C. and repair the scale of justice.

ROB DWYER

Chase