Victim’s family in swarming attack wants justice reform

Feb 2, 2023 | Canadian News, News

Another teenage girl alleged to have killed Hong Kong Canadian Ken Lee was granted bail on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

A Toronto youth court granted bail Tuesday to the fourth of the eight accused, aged between 13 and 16, in what police called a swarming attack.

The youth has a number of conditions imposed on her by the court, including remaining at home, not having a cell phone, not using the internet except under certain conditions and not communicating with her co-accused.

The bail came as Lee’s family called for an overhaul of Ontario’s bail laws and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Eric Shum, Lee’s brother-in-law, said the time has come for all levels of government and politicians to do the right thing.

“I write to you with a heavy heart knowing that justice may not be achieved in this case,” Shum said in an open letter.

The letter was sent by e-mail to government officials, including Justice Minister David Lametti, government House leader Mark Holland, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto’s mayor John Tory, and local MPs.

“I can only hope that change is in the air to prevent future families from the pain that we are suffering and will continue to suffer for a very long time,” the letter said.

Shum said he had many questions about why the justice system is “protecting those criminals that committed murder.”

“It’s time to be tough on the youth and amend the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) and bail reforms,” Shum said. “If you treat them lightly, there is no consequence and a higher chance for them to re-offend.”

Shum said defendants alleged to have committed murders should not be granted bail.

“Why are they even given bail? They killed a person,” he said. “The optics of allowing bail continues to demonstrate a weak YCJA system sending a message to young offenders that they can do anything and not be held accountable.”

Shum also said there should be more transparency in youth cases.

“Society needs to know who these perpetrators are, especially if they are attending school,” he said. “Identities of these murderers should be made public to bring forth more victims, witnesses, and evidence.”

Lee was attacked outside a homeless shelter at the Strathcona Hotel, close to Union Station, on Dec. 18, 2022, Toronto police said.

Ken Lee, 59, the victim of a fatal stabbing in Toronto on December 18, 2022. Photo credit: Toronto Police Service handout

Ken Lee, 59, the victim of a fatal stabbing in Toronto on December 18, 2022. Photo credit: Toronto Police Service handout Photo credit: Toronto Police Service

He was helping a female friend escape a group of teenage girls who were harassing her, his sister Helen Shum said in a GoFundMe post the family created.

Police said he was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead a short time later.

Lee’s case resonated with ongoing calls from provincial and territorial governments for justice system reform.

Premiers from all 13 provinces and territories earlier signed a letter demanding a reform of Canada’s bail system from Ottawa after the killing of an Ontario Provincial Police officer last December. The letter, dated Jan. 13, was initiated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.