As I read through a story by a NOW court reporter about a man being sentences for killing Burnaby cyclist – and father of two – Charles Masala in 2019, I waited for the usual weak sauce claims by the judge about the slug who had been convicted. (You can read the full story here.)
Sentencing rulings are an exercise in frustration as such dubious points as “he’s shown remorse” are used to reduce sentences for terrible crime. Like, really, who cares if someone shows remorse AFTER they’ve been caught?
The other one is how a person who has been caught as “turned their life around” – another dubious claim that should not necessarily result in mercy. Many criminals know how to play the system to show that they are “getting their act together” in order to curry favour with judges.
And there is appeared at the end of the story, with a judge saying that the person convicted of mowing down Masala on Gaglardi Way while more than double the blood-alcohol limit – and fleeing the scene to let him die – had “stopped drinking and is going to counselling.”
Well goody for Sumeet Mangat, who had been caught driving impaired twice before. I’ll sleep better knowing this.
Mangat was handed just 30 months in prison for killing Masala and then trying to pin the blame on a passenger. That’s it. Oh, and he won’t be allowed to drive for 54 months after he is released. Why Mangat should ever be allowed to drive again one day is a mystery to me.
“There is nothing this court can do to ease the grief of the family, friends and community by the loss of Mr. Masala,” the judge said in his ruling.
Well, Mr. Judge, I beg to differ. I think you could have eased the grief by sending a repeat offender to prison for a long, long time. That would also send a message to cyclists and pedestrians that there are staggering punishments awaiting people who get stinking drunk and head off driving.
I’m sorry, but this just isn’t enough. Not at all.
The lives of cyclists and pedestrians are treated as disposable by our society.
I get that 30 months is no easy stretch for anyone, but given how easily the system paroles people, it feels like that sentence will be much shorter when all is said and done.
I’m angry. I drive by the spot where Masala died multiple times a week and get angry each time I see the memorial that has been set up in the memory of a man who was beloved by his family and friends. I’ve been contacted by at least six of his friends looking for updates. They’ve shared amazing memories of a man who had an incredible perspective on life.
He touched so many lives. He deserved better than this.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
