Seven Years for Shawn Woodward’s Gay Bashing Isn’t Anywhere Near Enough
When I wrote this in August I was still grappling with what a really appropriate sentence should be for Shawn Woordward’s textbook case of gay bashing.
It’s one of the most deplorable crimes and I have often said that it’s up there with rape and only one step behind child molestation.
But when the judge asked Woodward if he had anything to offer, and he said nothing, I just shook my head. Then the topper: The Crown is asking for seven years.
Seven years? His victim, Mr. Dowrey is confined to care facility, reduced to an existence one gay friend of mine describes as “inhuman.”
But Woodward is to get seven years, less whatever time for picking up after himself in prison and doing a little laundry.
He will be able to dress himself, feed himself, read, exercise, sing, go outside unassisted and breathe fresh air–all while his victim will enjoy mashed potatoes from a plastic spoon and yogurt through a straw.
Shawn Woodward deserves to have the book thrown at him. He should not leave jail, frankly, until he’s dead. He sentenced Dowrey to life in his chair and reduced him to the motor skills of an three month old.
This whole thing is one big sham. Gay bashing is nothing we should tolerate and, in fact, should deal with it in the most severe way.
Another point: I don’t understand where the police are in all this? Why isn’t someone putting pressure on the Crown to look for a greater sentence? Is one not available? Say for 25 years with no parole?? Oh, silly me, I forgot, we give that to murderers and provide and opportunity for parole too. Of course, stupid me, what was I thinking?
I guess now we know why it’s called the ‘criminal justice system’.
Agreed. Although if you look at the Sasan Ansari trial, 7 years would actually be double what Sasan got. Let’s not forget Sasan murdered his old friend.
I agree that this man should not see public streets for a long time, but let’s remember that prison is not there as retribution for heinous acts. It’s number one goal should be to rehabilitate people who have gone astray from societal norms.
Let’s remember that aside from a drunk driving conviction and a previous drug addiction this man has never done anything violent in his life (at least nothing that would warrant a criminal investigation). Perhaps he could become a productive member of society when he’s released. Perhaps he can even do classes about hate and how it consumed him enough to pummel a man within inches of his life.
Yes I know I’m wearing rose-coloured sunglasses, but I’ve always been accused of that. I like to hope that there’s a little good in everyone and given the right circumstances that good can shine through.
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You’re a better man than me…which isn’t that hard…
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It is irrelevant that the victim was gay. The viciousness of the assault and its consequences demand a severe sentence. The problem with “hate crime” legislation is that it establishes a political hierarchy of motivations for crime. Some political motivations are acceptable while some are not. This is used in Iran all the time.
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In principle I don’t disagree. But there is some thing very, very, very wrong going on in the world today and it’s called gay bashing.
It’s amazing….the gay community won’t shut up about a hyped-up sexual carnival showcasing the worst of gay stereotypes, in the pride parade, that this year featured anti-Semitism and open drug use (and completely fake attendance figures), but the dearth of activists demanding that this scourge of gay bashing is incredible. Where are they?
I’m almost alone in calling this bastard Woodward to get a life sentence. We have an obligation to protect or friends in the gay community. It’s our duty.
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I guess dowery should have kept his perverted hands to himself. Hopefully the rest of the perverted degenerates in the W/E wil think twice before sexually assaulting someone. I think woodward should be celebrated and given the order of Canada for his bravery. Good riddance to a perverted Faggot.
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You Sir are one sick pig. There is something really wrong with you. Get help.
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7 years = eligibility for day parole in 1/6th = 14 months less any time reduced for time served = Your legal system at work. All that and the now oft to be repeated BOTOX defense. Its just too pathetic for words.
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I know, it’s terribly sad.
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Alex, thank you for publishing Mr./Ms. “nohomo’s” Post.
We need to know that “they” walk amongst us………………….
They should not.
Cheers
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You can call this guy a pig but you need to moderate this blog and keep sick people like him off your blog.
Calling him names is merely feeding his illness.
The courts must change their lenient sentencing.
We must show all citizens that there are serious consequences for serious, violent crime.
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I printed his obscene comment to show that there are still sickening Neanderthals among us and that we must be vigilant to protect the gay community from them.
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I see what you mean and agree with your point.
But I still say calling names is not the way to go.
And yes we all have take responsibility to protect gay people.
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Well the outrage will come when you see the sentence which I pretty much assume will be under 2 years. Just FYI a recent case (from the DTES) of a male running across the road to shove a metal bar into another male’s face – killing him – resulted in a sentence from a Vancouver Judge of …..wait for it….. 2 measly years. And that’s the norm there – hardly an aberration.
Honestly if not for the media exposure for this case I’d be willing to bet that Crown would have asked for 4 years. It’s all sad but true.
And the Police can do nothing about this. They don’t live within the magic bubble of the Courts at 222 Main St where “liability” and “accountability” are 2 non existent words. What we have in Vancouver as well as the rest of BC is a ‘process’ wherein the ‘victim’ and ‘criminal justice’ matter zilch – the Courts have become overblown debate clubs where the semantics of Charter and legal precedent are all that matter anymore.
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Great comment. I have a very good post coming tomorrow in the VPD.
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Shawn Woodward getting sentence to seven years won’t gain Dowrey jack shit. Woodward should be ordered serve to Dowrey’s everyday needs for the next twenty years, in lieu of 12-14 years in prison.
It high time the useless courts started to do something for the victims.
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Now we’re talking!!! But no direct contact since it would likely traumatized the poor soul to be faced with Woodward. Vicious little bastard, if it were up to me he’d be locked up for life for what he did. Disgrace…
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