Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2007
Source: News Review, The  (CN SN)
Copyright: 2007 Yorkton News Review
Contact:  http://www.yorktonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4047
Author: Karl Kopan

WALKER TRIAL COMES TO DRAMATIC END

When the jury foreman read a decision of guilty of Second Degree
Murder in the Kim Walker First Degree Murder trial, a flood of emotion
came over the courtroom.

The Hayward family, while seated on benches in the courtroom, hugged
and comforted each other while across the aisle Walker family members
seemed stunned by the verdict.

Jadah Walker twice looked over her left shoulder to see the reaction
of the Hayward family. Her father Kim seemed calm and said nothing
when the verdict was read while keeping a head-down, eyes closed position.

After the jury was asked to leave the courtroom to decide on a
recommendation of a sentence and came back in five minutes with a
suggestion for the minimum of 10 years, Pritchard wasted no time in
agreeing with it.

"I'm satisfied at the time you were under terrible anguish over your
daughter's terrible circumstances," said Pritchard.

"You were wrong in assessing but you believed shooting was the only
option to rescue her life. You were a desperate man."

The judge said she has no doubt there are a lot of parents whose
hearts will reach out to him but it is no justification for
"wrongfully and unnecessarily taking a life."

She explained there will be 30 days to transfer weapons ownership from
Walker and he will have to provide a DNA sample.

The judge thanked the jury for being diligent with a very onerous task
and released them. Some visibly shaken, none of the jury members
looked at Walker or the Hayward family as they filed out of the courtroom.

Following the verdict Jadah walked up to her father and placed her
hand on his while he sat in the box. Outside, in the rear of the
courthouse, family and friends of Kim Walker, who hadn't been present
for the conclusion of the trial, were allowed to enter and say goodbye.

One father scurried past cameras carrying a baby in a cradle and
another entered with a young child holding his hand.

About half an hour later Walker emerged in hand cuffs led by RCMP
members. Jadah and other family members followed.

He was quickly led into a waiting RCMP van. Jadah wiped tears from her
eyes and as the van began to drive down the alley she yelled, "My dad
is my hero!" while waving goodbye to her father.

On the front steps of the courthouse Lorrie Getty, James Hayward's
mother, began by saying her family wasn't given the change to read
their victim impact statement in court following the verdict.

Getty said the decision will never make up for the damage Walker
inflicted on her family.

"I don't want justice, I don't want revenge, I want James back. That's
what I want," said Getty.

She read a poem for reporters, written by Hayward's younger brother,
Danny.

Referring to Kim Walker a portion of the poem read, "You call yourself
a father and you act like you're a saint, but yet you could not bother
to show some self restraint.

"Sure he wasn't perfect, but no one really is, so why was he so
worthless? The mistakes he made were his.

"I guess no one taught you violence doesn't solve a thing, just look
at where it got you and the sadness that it brings."

Responding to media questions, Getty said about her son James, "We
loved him very much. I hope no one ever feels this pain because you'll
never be the same."

Hayward's mother concluded her comments by saying her family is happy
the verdict wasn't manslaughter.

Stepsister of James Hayward, Alana Getty, said her family is a little
disappointed about comments the judge made about Jadah being "lured"
after sentencing Walker.

"There was no evidence to support she was lured into anything. There
was actually evidence presented that was exactly opposite of that."

When asked if she hopes the verdict will change the minds of some
people in Yorkton, she said, "We hope that it does."

When the trial began Walker was facing a charged of first-degree
murder. Once the evidence concluded the jury took two and a half days
to come to its conclusion.

During the trial, court heard how Hayward and Jadah Walker were living
together and both were addicted to morphine.

"My father is my hero. I'll swear that until the day that I die,"
stated an emotional Jadah Walker as she walked with her family to a
vehicle in front of the courthouse.

"He's my hero. He's a walking, living miracle. He saved my life. He
had no options."

Speaking of former boyfriend James Hayward -- who was known to many as
a drug dealer -- Jadah assured, "He ruined my life and he ruined my
family's life."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek