More than five years after her son was killed in a hit-and-run, Jocelyn Staines still holds out hope that someone will come forward with information that brings the driver of the vehicle that hit him to justice.
On Tuesday afternoon, she received some measure of redress when Allyne Fitzgerald, the woman convicted of cleaning and repairing the silver Mazda Tribute that struck and killed Robert Staines, received a 15-month sentence for obstructing justice.
Crown prosecutors allege the vehicle was driven by Fitzgerald's son, James High, at the time of the incident, but with most of the physical evidence destroyed in the cleanup, they were unable to proceed with charges.
But Staines still believes there are witnesses who could help police with their investigation.
"I hope and pray there is somebody out there who knows something who will come forward to the Coquitlam RCMP and let them know what they know," she said. "The file is still open. They need more people to speak up."
The 21-year-old Robert Staines was walking along Brunette Avenue in Coquitlam late on Feb. 26, 2006 when he was struck by a vehicle and carried more than seven blocks. Crown prosecutors argued at trial that after Staines' body fell off the vehicle, High, the alleged driver, drove the car to his mother's house in New Westminster.
Staines described her son, who was 21 at the time of his death, as a "fun-loving" young man who enjoyed life and got the most out of the short time he was alive. After years of court hearings and dealing with the justice system, Staines said she and her family have had difficulty finding closure.
"I think it would have been so much easier had we had remorse right from the beginning," she said. "Come down and deal with the situation and finish the job right then and there, because then this wouldn't have been dragged out for five years. That is a long time and this is very tiring."
Staines added that she hopes there is no appeal but said she would be ready to go through another trial again if she had to.
As part of her sentence, Fitzgerald must remain at her home unless she is going to work, a medical appointment or grocery shopping. She also must complete 120 hours of community service and pay a $100 victims surcharge fee.
The prosecution had been calling for 18 months in jail while the defence said a suspended sentence was more appropriate.
In handing down the sentence, Mr. Justice James Williams acknowledged that Fitzgerald had no prior convictions and was unlikely to re-offend.
