It may have been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It may have been that he was involved in some shady dealings, we'll never actually know - and why? Because he's dead, that's why.
An Edmonton father of four - ages 14 and under - was pronounced dead at the scene a week or so ago and a known criminal is on the run after an altercation in an apartment turned deadly.
At about 2 a.m. neighbours called the police to the apartment building after hearing a fight break out. Upon their arrival, along with paramedics, they found the father bleeding from deep chest wounds. He didn't make it. Gregory Pratt (the father) was apparently visiting a 31 year old Brian Boysis. It may have been an evening like any other - with the exception that Boysis had previously been convicted of manslaughter but served just a mere seven years - but like I said we may never know the truth as one key person is no longer with us.
Boysis served seven years after being convicted with murder, in addition to a slew of other violent crimes. When his sentence was up last year, police apparently issued an "extraordinary warning" to the public saying that he was at high risk to re-offend and that they believed crimes would be of the violent nature if committed.
Great. So we let this guy out on the streets... At what point in time are we going to look out for the law abiding, innocent and throw away the key on people who behave like this?
Granted, Boysis hasn't been caught to stand trial (this time), and we can't say for sure he is guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt before this happens, but why do we keep seeing cases like this?
There's been enough talk about "getting tough on crime." If Boysis had been kept behind bars would a needless death have been prevented? Maybe yes, maybe no, but I for one would prefer to share the streets with someone WITHOUT an "extraordinary warning" sign on their back.
According to the stats crime rates are falling in Canada, but is that really the case? When I hear about stories like this - and the many others - I have to wonder.
If Boysis is caught and found guilty, as far as I'm concerned he should never again see the light of day. No plea bargaining, no wrist slaps and no potential to harm again. Period.
