B.C. inquest calls for domestic violence teams
Last Updated: Friday, December 18, 2009 | 9:38 PM PT
CBC News
Peter Lee killed his son, his wife and her parents before taking his own life. (CBC)A B.C. coroner's inquest jury has made 14 recommendations after hearing evidence in a Victoria-area murder-suicide that resulted in the deaths of five people.
The jury has called for the provincial government to create regional domestic violence units, to provide universally available advocacy services for victims and abusers, and to fund campaigns to increase awareness of domestic violence in the province.
The jury recommended that the Education Ministry introduce a family relationships and domestic violence component to school curricula — from kindergarten to Grade 12.
The jury also called for bail reforms to ensure potential abusers are screened by the court system.
B.C. Solicitor General Kash Heed said he was "looking favourably" on the jury's suggestion of domestic violence units, but stopped short of making any funding promises.
"I want [authorities] to work in a more comprehensive fashion, and that doesn't necessarily equate to more dollars," he told reporters in Vancouver.
Six-year-old Christian Lee was killed along with his mother and his maternal grandparents. (CBC)The inquest was examining the case of Peter Lee, who in September 2007 killed his estranged wife, Sunny Park, their six-year-old son and Park's parents, before committing suicide at the family home in Oak Bay east of Victoria.
The five-member panel heard from 35 witnesses, ranging from Lee's sister to the man in charge of policy for the province's criminal justice branch.
The inquest began 19 months ago but was put on hold while lawyers argued about which witnesses would appear.
In an interview taped by police on July 31, 2007, Sunny Park said her husband, Peter Lee, would kill her and the entire family if she divorced him. (B.C. Coroners Service)The coroner wanted to hear testimony from Crown lawyers about why they let Lee out on bail after he was charged with attempted murder of his wife.
The courts ruled that Crown prosecutors did not have to appear at the inquest and reveal the reasons for their decision not to oppose his bail request.
Lee's wife had told authorities while he was still in custody that she believed her husband would kill the family if released.
With files from The Canadian PressShare Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- An RCMP officer has been charged in connection to a late-night fatal collision in Agassiz, B.C., last July. more »
- Video of West Vancouver arson attack released
- Police are asking for the public for help identifying a man who set the home of a former West Vancouver police chief on fire earlier this year. more »
- Missing gun recovered by Vancouver police
- Vancouver police have recovered a handgun lost by one of their officers during a foot chase Wednesday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Tsunami motorcycle heading to Harley museum
- Missing gun recovered by Vancouver police
- Province considers BYOB in B.C. restaurants
- Summer rescue boat service planned for Vancouver
- Metro Vancouver gas prices match record levels
- Super microscope installed at University of Victoria

