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Family speaks out on Robotti verdict

A jury found Grace Robotti guilty of the second degree murder of Roxanne Louie
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Friends and family rally outside the Penticton courthouse during early proceedings leading to the trial for the murder of Roxanne Louie. Western News file photo

It has been a long journey for the family of Roxanne Louie, but with last night害羞草研究所檚 guilty verdict in the trial of her murderer, they are hoping to start the healing process.

害羞草研究所淚t will take some time for us to adjust. We have lived with this tragedy for two-plus years now and we are looking forward to moving on,害羞草研究所 said Dan Wilson, Roxanne害羞草研究所檚 uncle. 害羞草研究所淣ow our focus is on making sure that Roxanne害羞草研究所檚 son is going to be well taken care of, brought up, be taught the difference between right and wrong and that he enjoys his childhood.

害羞草研究所淭hat is what Roxanne would have wanted.害羞草研究所

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The Okanagan Nation Alliance issued a press release praising how the Louie and Hall family have endured more than two years of arduous judicial processes and litigation in regards to the murder trial of Louie.

害羞草研究所淚n the face of these challenges they have found the strength and resiliency to persevere,害羞草研究所 reads the release, extending the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) deepest sympathy and support to the families who continue to go through the process of healing from such great loss.

害羞草研究所淛ustice here is found in both the verdict, as well as in the capacity of family and community to come together and support one another through the process of healing from such trauma.害羞草研究所

Wilson said the family is generally pleased with the verdict, but was hurt by how Roxanne and her mother Beverly, who died in a motor vehicle incident last year, 害羞草研究所渨ere painted in the worst possible light.害羞草研究所

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e not here to defend themselves,害羞草研究所 said Wilson, adding that he sees that as a fault with the legal system. 害羞草研究所淲e are glad to see that the jury was able to see through all that and come out with the verdict that they did.害羞草研究所

Grace Robotti was found guilty of second degree murder, at 9 p.m. Thursday (April 6) after a day of deliberations.

害羞草研究所淚t is time for healing now. Every time there was a court appearance it brought Roxanne害羞草研究所檚 death right back to the forefront,害羞草研究所 said Wilson. 害羞草研究所淲e miss Roxanne every day. She was a caring, loving person and a wonderful mother. That is how we would like her to be remembered.害羞草研究所

害羞草研究所淥ur hearts go out to our families and communities who have been so deeply affected by this tragedy, yet we recognize that a true sense of justice will never be served by a court. Though a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women was launched by the federal government these gestures must be met with meaningful action,害羞草研究所 said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.

Phillip said violence against women has been an issue for a long time, taking on a different dimension when it comes to indigenous women and how they are viewed in the larger society.

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害羞草研究所淭he attitude of policing agencies has always been very dismissive. Police agencies are always suggesting the woman is out there partying and will turn up. In this case she showed up murdered,害羞草研究所 said Phillip.

Phillip said they are hoping the national inquiry will continue to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women, in particular violence against indigenous women and girls, and will come forward with concrete suggestions that will 害羞草研究所渋nstruct the criminal justice branch and the police agencies to be far more diligent in their efforts to investigate these matters 害羞草研究所 not to simply set them aside.害羞草研究所

Phillip said the justice system needs to start sending stronger signals.

害羞草研究所淭here has to be severe consequences for all cases of violence against women, particularly against indigenous women and girls. Otherwise, these situations will continue,害羞草研究所 said Phillip, noting that he has two daughters and six granddaughters.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 got to be part of our social responsibilities. And, we have to be consistent in condemning those kind of actions.害羞草研究所

The ONA says the verdict is not a final step in the healing process.

害羞草研究所淭hough this verdict is a part of moving towards justice for Roxanne, it is important to highlight the systemic discrimination, racism and oppression that continues to be placed on indigenous peoples and communities through such legal cases as these,害羞草研究所 said Wilson. 害羞草研究所淲e want to thank the jury for the sacrifice and hard work in dealing with these difficult issues.害羞草研究所

The ONA hopes the many missing and murdered indigenous women are found, preferably safe, and that such cases as these may set a precedent to deter future perpetrators of such violent acts.

害羞草研究所淲e cannot look for justice here, we will have justice when we walk on our own path, our own road,害羞草研究所 said Roxanne害羞草研究所檚 father Roger Hall, speaking to the indigenous experience in Canada.





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