The family of a slain Prince George man came to court on Monday protesting the slow pace of justice only to be told the matter would not be heard until next summer.
That will make it more than two years since the death of Samuel C.W. Auger, 29. He was struck by a vehicle as he walked in the early hours of April 28, 2010. He died from the injuries on May 7, 2010. The incident happened in the vicinity of the former Blockbuster Video location on Central Street.
Accused in the incident is Gordon Mayward Kerr, 49, who faces a manslaughter charge and a charge of criminal negligence causing death.
A large group of Auger's supporters wore matching black T-shirts with "Justice 4 Sam" emblazoned in white letters on the back. They stood with signs on the front steps of Wilson Square in front of the Prince George Courthouse and were also mingling inside awaiting proceedings in Supreme Court.
The proceedings were short. The occasion was to fix a date for trial and the date arrived at was June 4, 2012.
The only comfort in that for Auger's brother Josh Auger, who took time off work in Manitoba to attend court on Monday, is that this is his birthday. The present he wants most is to see the machinery of justice finally start to turn over.
"It takes so long. The court system doesn't make sense," he said.
"We thought the trial was supposed to begin," said Mary Auger, Sam's mother. "We want him [the one responsible] put away. We want justice. It's not fair that it takes so long and people are really upset."
Despite the fact many in the crowd have already convicted Kerr, in their own minds, 10 days have been set aside to test, with evidence, if he be the one responsible for the allegations. For those who came in support of Auger, who left behind five children under the age of 12, the pain is in knowing their loved one is gone while whomever is responsible walks free.
Police have released few details, pending trial. Since the incident all that was disclosed was the collision appeared to have been deliberate, there were independent witnesses to the incident, and Kerr was taken into custody soon after.
