Carol Todd is welcoming the news that one of her daughter's alleged online tormentors could one day face a criminal trial in Canada.
The mother of Amanda Todd is at a technology conference in Denver with other School District 43 educators but said she was following closely the extradition hearing of Aydin Coban and is pleased to hear he could be sent to Canada after he stands trial in the Netherlands on another cyber extortion case.
"Aydin will be tried for Amanda's charges," she said. "The goal was to get him here — he's halfway here."
Todd noted there could still be an appeal to prevent a Canadian trial but regardless of the outcome, Coban will face five charges connected to Todd even if the trial takes place in the Netherlands.
The Dutch Justice Minister also has to approve the extradition, Todd said, but she wants to assure her supporters that she is optimistic about a resolution to the case, noting that there has been some confusion, largely raised by Coban's lawyers, about another trial solely for Amanda's case.
Todd said she is confident the justice system will prevail. '"I really do feel there will be justice somewhere down the road."
Coban was arrested in the Netherlands after an investigation into online harassment involving Dutch victims and has since been charged by Canadian RCMP with extortion, internet luring, criminal harassment and the possession and distribution of child pornography.
He continues to deny harassing Amanda, who committed suicide in 2012 after posting a video online about the abuse she suffered.
Todd said the conference she is attending is important for getting up to speed on technology to assist students with learning challenges, important for her role as an SD43 learning resource teacher, but also to learn new ways to teach digital literacy so young people know how to be safe online.
Also attending the ISTE 2016 conference in Denver from SD43 are superintendent Patricia Garland, Inquiry Hub lead administrator Dave Truss, director of instruction Stephen Whiffin and Dave Sands, principal of technology implementation and digital literacy coach.
