Victim impact statement:
Mr. Richmond, you murdered our daughter, Melissa.
Your horrendous act has devastated a family, and destroyed her mother! Fathers live through their sons, mothers live through their daughters, what has Millie left to live for?
The sleepless nights are too numerous to count, the nightmares, the endless stream of tears haven't stopped, nor will they any time soon.
Millie's nagging question that defies an answer, "Why, why did I ever let her leave that Sunday?" It haunts her to this day and will go unanswered for eternity She blames herself for Melissa's death! It breaks her heart to know how terrified Melissa must have been, fighting for her life! There is no joy left in Millie's life.
Melissa could light up a room, her infectious smile, her giddy laugh, to hear her voice again as she comes through the door: "Hi mom, I'm home," all distant memories. Memories of what might have been, the tremendous void will never be filled, and the heartbreak will never go away. There are no celebrations in our home, no birthdays, no Christmas or anniversaries, just memories. The memory of Melissa will live on; we often wonder how we can live on!
You think jail is hell, try living the past 28 months trying to wrap our heads around having to bury our 28 year old daughter; she never hurt a soul, never did anything bad to anyone!
All you have left is jail, you will forever be known as a
MURDERER! Every time your cell door slams shut, may it be a reminder to you of what you did,
taking her life; there was absolutely
no justification for murdering Melissa. Death is final!
You don't deserve the privilege of being a free man, ever again!
Ray & Millie Evans
Source:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/howard-richmond-trial-verdict-1.3324961