Family of homicide victim Tori Dunn rallies outside New Westminster courthouse

Family and friends of a woman, killed last June, gathered outside a New Westminster B.C. Supreme Court Friday as the man accused of her killing made an appearance by video inside. 

Rainy weather was no obstacle for supporters of Tori Dunn, who rallied on the courthouse steps with picket signs.

Thirty-year-old Tori Dunn died in hospital on June 16, 2024 from wounds she suffered in an attack.

Adam Mann, a repeat offender who spent years in prison in Ontario for other crimes has been charged in relation to Dunn’s death.

Tori’s father Aron Dunn says her friends and family have vowed to not let what happened to Tori happen again.

Aron says the group was demonstrating, demanding to know, “How stuff like this happens to our communities, continually, and nothing’s done about it. And we’re hoping to make change.”

“It’s just a repeat offender that should never have been allowed back on the streets, and there’s something wrong with our justice system what keeps allowing that to happen,” Aron added.

Alongside Tori’s supporters, were members of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter who say there needs to be reform to how violent offenders are handled in B.C.

“There should be a better system to monitor and supervise the men, because right now they’re given the conditions [of release] and only when they breach are they reported,” said Dehye Son, with the shelter. “There needs to be a better monitoring system, and if there isn’t one then, for [offenders] to be held until the proceedings are complete.”

Tori’s family and friends say they will continue to come out and show their support until there’s a verdict in her case.