Tori Stafford kidnapping anniversary marked by call for justice-system changes
Posted April 8, 2019 5:54 am.
Last Updated April 8, 2019 9:22 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – It was a murder case that shocked the country. Monday marks 10 years since eight-year-old Tori Stafford of Woodstock, Ontario was abducted and killed.
Stafford would be turning 19 this year, but instead it’s a sombre anniversary.
Victoria, who loved the colour purple, was walking home on April 8, 2009 when she was kidnapped by Terri-Lynne McClintic and Michael Rafferty. She was raped and killed hours later, and her remains were not found for nearly 100 days.
The judge sentenced Rafferty saying “most tragically of all you have snuffed out the life of a beautiful, talented, vivacious little girl.” The judge added “only a monster could commit an act of such pure evil. You, sir, are a monster.”
Meantime, a number of victims of violent crime rallied in Ottawa Monday morning, to mark the anniversary of the girl’s death as well as to call for changes to Canada’s justice and corrections systems.
A couple of dozen people stood in a wind-blown freezing-rain storm at the foot of the Peace Tower, demanding more rights for victims and their families.
Tori’s father was among those rallying to push for changes to the justice system, to ensure the girl’s killers stay behind bars for the rest of their lives.
The pair made headlines last year when Rafferty was transferred to a medium security facility, while McClintic was moved to a healing lodge in Saskatchewan. She’s since been transferred back to prison.
