Closing The Pickton Trial: Putting It Together, Pulling It Apart

Courtrooms were full of media, families and the public. Memories of the lives taken were talked about amongst the families. I kept to myself thinking of the days when we were running around looking for a fix or a way to get easy money...a time when we hung on to the bit of laughter that made us feel somewhat happy throughout the life we led.

In court were the daughters of victims Marnie Frey and Sarah DeVries: Britney Frey and Jeanie DeVries. It was good to see them at court; it was like seeing my friends and acquaintances again, as if it was a second chance at life for Marnie and Sarah.

Sarah was young and stuck in a house with her boyfriend. I will not mention his name, but I will never forget how much I loathed him. We formed a vigilante group to try and get her away from him because he’d beat her, use her and pump her full of dope.

I’ll never forget sitting across the street in an apartment waiting for her boyfriend to come out of the house. We had a video camera and weapons ready for when it was time to jump him. I can also remember the time she had her baby, Jeanie. She was a doll and Sarah seemed to be happy finally. It helped her grow up a little more.

Jeanie was Sarah’s pride and joy and I was crushed thinking that Jeanie would be without her mom. It just didn’t seem fair. Why was life so good to others? What did we do to deserve this misery? Where’s the help?

I remember living in the Downtown Eastside and every time I worked the street, I hoped that someone would rescue me from the lifestyle I led.