Winston Burrows Sister: System Has Failed
The sister of road traffic victim Winston “Yogi” Burrows has stated that she believes the justice system has failed.
Englishman Luke Armstrong was originally convicted of causing Mr. Burrow’s death, had his conviction and sentence overturned earlier this week and walked free. Mr. Armstrong’s parents reportedly did not travel to Bermuda for the appeal after being warned by their son of a “hostile atmosphere”.
In Nov 2009 the jury found him guilty of causing “death by dangerous driving” in the August 5, 2009 crash, and sentenced him to 15 months in prison. The Appeal Court’s reasoning for the reversal this week was that the judge did not correctly direct the jury on the definition of ‘death by dangerous driving’.
Luke Armstrong: Now a Free Man
Ms. Burrows-Smith called into a ZBM afternoon radio show hosted by Sherri J, and stated she felt Mr. Armstrong should have been charged with vehicular manslaughter, and that the case not handled properly overall.
She was extremely clear that she feels the justice system does not do its job properly. Stating that people get off on gun crimes, traffic crimes and stabbings, she said she feels “too many people are walking away”
She questioned as to the reasoning why her brothers toxicology report was released [showing he had cocaine and alcohol in his system] but Mr. Armstrong’s was not, even though he had admitted he had been drinking.
Taking issue with the fact Mr. Armstrong left the scene and made no attempt to assist Mr. Burrows, she said her family “had no proper body to bury.”
Clearly stating that she wasn’t only holding the position due to the very unfortunate circumstances surrounding her brother’s death, she reiterated that the justice system itself needs upgrading. She stated her greatest fear was that another family will have to suffer through what her family has.
Speaking very eloquently of her brother, and at times sounding a touch emotional, she said her brother had faults, but was a “true die hard Christian no matter how he lived his life“. She described Winston Burrows as a much loved man, who would always go out of his way to assist others.
She said while blames Mr. Armstrong for the accident, she does not blame him for getting off. For that she blames the justice system.
In a statement that shows her religious convictions, the sister of the the victim stated if she were to meet Mr. Armstrong she would tell him that although she won’t forget, but she forgives him… as that what the Lord would want.
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Category: Accidents and fires, All, Court Reports, Crime, News
