World

Canada: Stoned driver who killed 2 people gets 4-year sentence

by Barry Artiste | November 22, 2008 at 08:48 am

349 views | 0 Recommendations | 7 comments

Barry Artiste Op/Ed

Yep, anyone who says marijuana should be legalized, and lefty ass bandit advocates who say Police administering drug tests to drivers violates their Human Rights, should be looking the victims families square in the eye when they say it. But we know cowards that they are won't!

I have added undated stock photos to this story to stress the other side of Marijuana, though Drug Advocates only see a drug fueled life as a Friggin Cheech and Chong Movie~!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/11/21/edm-sentence-marijuana-driver.html

Stoned driver who killed 2 people gets 4-year sentence

Last Updated: Friday, November 21, 2008 | 6:44 PM MT

CBC News

An Edmonton man, found guilty of killing two people and injuring two others while he was driving high on marijuana, was sentenced Friday to four years in prison — reduced to 37 months after the judge gave him credit for time served.

James McIlwrick, 36, was found guilty in September on two counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm. McIlwrick slammed head-on into an SUV carrying four people around 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2003.

He had smoked two marijuana joints before heading off for work that day. Tammy Engelking, 27, and Henry Yao, 40, died in the crash, while two others in the SUV were injured.

McIlwrick showed no emotion as the judge sentenced him, but his mother and girlfriend burst into tears. Engelking's sister, Shelleen Shultz, expressed relief outside court that the long process is finally over.

"This has been a long time coming and I think we're all relieved that Mr. McIlwrick is finally going to be paying for what he did," she said. "It doesn't get any better even after five years, but I think there's going to finally be some closure.

" In sentencing submissions last week, Crown prosecutor Greg Merchant had asked the judge to impose a prison sentence of four to five years.

McIlwrick's lawyer, Bill Tatarchuk, asked for a two-year sentence to be served in the community.

Tatarchuk told the court McIlwrick smokes marijuana to help him deal with pain from medical problems, and told the judge his client posed no danger to the community as long as he doesn't drive.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Jordan Yerman

at 09:49 on November 22nd, 2008

I wouldn't connect the anti-legalization argument with this case, as impaired driving is an existing law, regardless of whether or not the substance in question is itself legal, i.e. drunk driving.

Why "lefty ass bandit advocates"? It weakens the post.

John Stone (not verified)

at 11:09 on November 22nd, 2008

So, you cut and past some story from CBC, and then decide to add 100 words of your own ranting to the top of it? It isn't pot that is the problem here, it's people thinking they can drive while intoxicated. You don't make a very good case for prohibition here, in fact, this article points out why we need to legalize marijuana. This is the first time I have ever heard of a stoned driver killing someone. I've heard about stupid sober drivers and drunk drivers, but never anyone stoned. So, what we really should do is ban vehicles. Then we'll all live forever.

And I agree with Jordan, saying things like "lefty ass bandit advocates" only weakens your arguement. You should consider getting rid of your computer. You don't have anything intelligent to contribute.

polz (not verified)

at 19:12 on February 26th, 2009

hahaha , well said.

Barry Artiste

at 16:06 on November 22nd, 2008

Yeah, well I guess you guys have never had to go to a grow op and see the aftermath either after a fatal grow rip off of an innocent dead teen, certainly her parents have an opinion when they had to id their daughters body for being in the wrong place, wrong time. Dont like the story, then pass by and read something else. When I say lefty advocates, I stand by it. Anyone who thinks marijuana is an innocent drug, never spent a day in my shoes, or PAPR for that matter.

John Stone (not verified)

at 14:52 on November 23rd, 2008

Prohibtion killed that teenager. It causes more problems than it solves. Think about the bigger picture sir. And, technically, all drugs are innocent. The laws that keep marijuana in the black market, controlled by gangsters and undesireables that make it dangerous to grow. They call it a drug war because there are casualties, not because they are having a little fight. When it is legalized, you'll see. Until then, worry about becoming educated. The Emperor Wears No Clothes (suggested reading). It isn't just stoned nonsense, it's fact.