The family of Caitlin Walton are reacting to the sentencing of Daniel Penney, who was charged in connection with her death. Mary Griffin reports.
Friends and family of Mary Caitlin Walton leave the Victoria courthouse, struggling to understand the sentence handed to Daniel Blake Penney in connection with her death.
Her daughter, Tonilin Walton, says her mother’s death affects her every day. “I don’t think he
“I don’t think he realizes what he has done. And how he’s ruined our lives, taking our mother away,” Tonilin said.
Walton died inside a house on Queen Street, one of two she owned with Penney.
At the time of her death, Walton was no longer in a relationship with Penney due to domestic abuse.
But on March 13, 2015, when he asked her to come over with insulin for his diabetes, and clothes, she agreed. Then he strangled her.
The court heard that Penney first used his hands, then wrapped sweatpants around her neck.
Afterwards, he drove to their Colwood house, where he attempted suicide with the engine running in the closed garage.
Then attempted suicide with the engine running in the closed garage.
“Our members forced their way inside,” Cst. Alex Berube with West Shore RCMP said.
“Grabbed the man out, saved his life.”
The two RCMP officers who break into the garage were overcome by the fumes but were treated then released from hospital.
Three days later, police charged Penney with second-degreee murder.
That charge was reduced to manslaughter in a deal between the defense and Crown to avoid a trial.
“The sentence in this case, after allowing for the time spent in custody, amounted to twelve years, seven months and 13 days,” Crown counsel spokesperson Dan McLaughlin said.”The court added the condition that half of the sentence be served before the offender is eligible for parole.”
“The court added the condition that half of the sentence be served before the offender is eligible for parole.”
But that’s not good enough for Walton’s family, including her brother, Mike Walton. “It took quite a bit to beat her, the way he did,” says Walton. “And that’s not something you black out and do. He planned it.
“It took quite a bit to beat her, the way he did,” says Walton. “And that’s not something you black out and do. He planned it.
It was planned. Something’s got to be done with the justice system. It’s broken.”
Walton’s daughter says her mother was ripped from her too soon. “”Everyday, we deal with the pain,” Walton said.
“I only had 19 years, 19 years with my mom. And that’s not, not enough time. My mom was my best friend. She was a beautiful, beautiful person.”
Penney will be eligible for parole in 2023.
Mary Griffin
