Surrey mom Julie Paskall dies after being attacked outside Newton Recreation Centre

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      A 53-year-old Surrey hockey mom has not survived a vicious assault in the Newton area.

      Julie Paskall, who has two adult daughters and a 16-year-old son, was found in the parking lot of the Newton Recreation Centre on 72 Avenue on December 29. She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries at 9:30 p.m. that night.

      The Mounties issued a news release yesterday saying she wasn't expected to survive and that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team had seized control of the investigation.

      It follows an assault on a female in the same area on December 16.

      In both cases, robbery may have been a factor in the crimes.

      Police have said that "although the motive appears similar these two occurrences have not definitively been linked".

      "Due to the circumstances of this tragic incident, we are asking the public to be extra vigilant," RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said in yesterday's news release. "It is important that people are aware of their surroundings when they are out and that they keep their valuables concealed. Walk with a friend whenever possible, particularly after dark."

      Comments

      11 Comments

      Diane A.

      Dec 31, 2013 at 4:39pm

      IF they catch this or these person/s, they had better charge them with aggrevated second degree murder!!! And we better not have some sorry assed, bleeding heart jury, that lets them walk with lesser charges. I don't care if they're drug addicts, or mentally ill, they need to be put away for the rest of their lives! I wish we had the death penalty, I'd be happy to push the plunger or flip the switch on this/these cowardly bastard/s!

      Rick in Richmond

      Dec 31, 2013 at 7:18pm

      Take a life? It's the end of your life.

      Not by capital punishment, but by imprisonment for life without possibility of parole. No "faint hope". Nothing.

      By every account Julie Paskall was a delightful woman, a great asset to her town and her family, and utterly innocent in all this. She did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing.

      Whoever killed her has no call on our sympathy. There is no excuse for her murder. Not drug addiction. Nothing. Every sympathy must lie with the friends and family of the murdered woman.

      When the RCMP catches her killer (they will), her family and friends will draw a breath of gratitude and then remember again who they lost. That loss is inexcusable.

      Damned tragedy

      Dec 31, 2013 at 7:21pm

      <blockquote>And we better not have some sorry assed, bleeding heart jury, that lets them walk with lesser charges.</blockquote>
      You do realize that it's normally the Crown that allows a plea to lesser charges, and usually when they don't think they have evidence to convict on more serious charges?

      (IANAL == I Am Not A Lawyer - a real one's opinion would be welcome to correct me.)

      I do agree that nothing is too harsh for this / these bastard parasites. Death penalty issued by state? No. Death penalty issued by karma? Yes please.

      Alas karma, where fore art thou? (Sorry for spelling mistakes.)

      David

      Dec 31, 2013 at 8:43pm

      I don't want to use this forum at this time to debate the proper punishment for this horrible crime. But, be sure of one thing - Severe punishment is certainly warranted.

      DavidH

      Jan 1, 2014 at 7:39am

      Punishment may deter some from committing a similar, horrific crime in the future. But it won't deter others.

      We all know that a fatal beating was completely unnecessary in this case. How much force is needed to knock down a small, 53-year-old woman and steal her purse? Not much. The beating was far more likely the result of severe mental illness or drug-fuelled rage. The fear of punishment wouldn't deter people in either case.

      So, yes, let's catch and severely punish this crazed animal. But punishment alone will not bring that woman back, heal the family or prevent another tragedy. We need to invest in prevention, whether it's treatment for the mentally ill or drug addicted, or better policing and security on the street (more cameras please - lots more). Or all of the above.

      If any good comes out of this sickening loss, it will be a community-wide promise to the memory of Julie Paskall: "Never again, Julie. Never again."

      Jodi B

      Jan 1, 2014 at 3:56pm

      My sentiments exactly! The best thing that is going to come out of this, is we are going to come together as Communities, and not stand for this anymore. It is such a shame to have to live in fear, and have our innocent children having to live in fear. We need to address and stop people from having kids who are obviously incapable of raising and producing healthy individuals.
      I am very curious to know what kind of home the 16 year old kid came from that killed the 19year old boy in New West!!!
      Sad, tragic Shit going on in this province, and we have to Stop IT!!!

      cuz

      Jan 1, 2014 at 5:04pm

      @ DavidH, Sorry, you lame ass platitudes don't work this time. We spend lots of money and time dealing in "prevention". We still wind up with animals like the person who committed this crime. Maybe we need to stop apologizing for the criminals and ask for a little personal responsibility in people's actions. And most of the judges in B.C. are a pile of liberal bulsh*t who could care less about victims. If we could vote lazy judges out of office, then we could install some judges who reflect the will of the people.

      David

      Jan 1, 2014 at 8:54pm

      Alright, I'll say something more on this now - since it has to be said. You don't punish a criminal to deter others. You punish them because they deserve it - that's the primary function of justice in regards to criminals. The punishment should fit the crime. In this case it's murder and the punishment should be severe since that's what this piece of scrum has coming. If that punishment then serves to deter other like minded scum, then that's good - but that's a secondary consequence.

      I Blame

      Jan 1, 2014 at 9:47pm

      The pro-lifers as usual. Unwilling mothers equal unwanted kids.

      Alan Layton

      Jan 2, 2014 at 8:42am

      This is such a sad story and one that wasn't expected, but shouldn't be a surprise. There have been a number of savage beatings in Vancouver over the past year and they were committed by men with mental illnesses. In one case the guy even went to the police the day before to let them know he was having psychotic episodes and wasn't on his meds. Apparently nothing could be done and he severely beat a number of elderly women the next day. So 'holding somebody accountable for their actions' isn't really much of a deterrent. It may be for people who are fortunate enough to have a properly working brain, but then only on a low level - ie I know if I cheat on my taxes there will be consequences etc.

      Once again, the mental health regulations and our commitment to them need an overhaul. It's not going to be cheap and there will always be those who fall through the cracks, but you can't solve any problems until you put away your redneck, right-wing tendencies for revenge and try to look at the problem with logic.