The Merritt, BC murders are yet another failure in Canada's justice system

Allan Dwayne Schoenborn, the 40 year-old prime suspect in the murder of his three children in Merritt BC, was arrested three times in the days leading up to their murders, but each time, our justice system released him. Previously both he and Darcie Clarke, the mother of his three children lived in Vancouver, but last fall Ms Clarke moved to Merritt to start a new life and get a fresh start away from the turmoil and abuse that had previously engulfed her family.

This did not stop Mr Schoenborn from following her. He arrived in Merritt, BC just one week before the murders, despite a court order baring him from contact with Ms Clarke. In that week, he was arrested 3 times.

Schoenborn's initial contact with the Merritt RCMP came when he was arrested for driving while under disqualification because of an earlier impaired- driving conviction.

In another incident, police officers encountered Schoenborn when he was intoxicated in a public place.

Then, on Thursday, police were called by the principal of Schoenborn's daughter's school, Diamond Vale elementary.

Schoenborn had allegedly threatened a student and the principal.

The police sought to keep Schoenborn in custody after the school incident, arguing that he was a flight risk who had a history of failing to appear in court. A provincial court judge ordered him released - against the recommendation of the police.

Just 2 days after Mr. Schoenborn's release from police custody, Ms Clarke arrived home and made the gruesome discovery of the bodies of her 3 children. After I read the story, the first question that came to my mind was why did the BC Provincial judge not take the recommendation of the police seriously? Why did the BC provincial judge feel it was ok to release this man against the recommendation of the police, despite his violent past and previous convictions?

This incident is yet another cloud hanging over our justice system. What I find most appalling is that we Canadians continue to tolerate a lax justice system that is controlled by judges who seem to care more about the rights of criminals than ordinary law-abiding citizens. Any attempt to toughen or reform our laws or criminal penalties is met by howls and cries of protest from the usual bleeding heart groups.

The pain of losing a child is tremendous, but what makes it even worst is knowing that they would still be alive had the justice system done its job. My heart really goes out to Ms Clarke, as she is going to need a lot of support to get through what must be her worst nightmare. For me, I really do hope that the day will come when Canadian judges are held accountable for their actions, because there does not seem to be any accountability among a lot of them.