Rodney Stafford (l)stops by Northgate Shopping Centre to raise money and awareness for Child Find Ontario Wednesday.
Rodney Stafford (l)stops by Northgate Shopping Centre to raise money and awareness for Child Find Ontario Wednesday.On Wednesday, August 12, 2009 Rodney Stafford told BayToday that at the end of the trial in the murder case of his daughter Victoria, that the penalty will not fit the crime.
Tonight Stafford may find some peace of mind knowing that Michael Rafferty was found guilty on all counts in killing of his daughter Tori.
In a London, Ontario Superior Court Friday night the jury delivered a verdict of guilty of the first-degree murder of Tori Stafford.
They also found Rafferty guily of sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping.
Below is the full interview from Wednesday, August 12, 2009.
*****
The thought of a child being abducted and murdered is a parent’s worst nightmare unfortunately for Rodney Stafford it is not a bad dream he can wake up from it is a reality. Stafford’s daughter Victoria was abducted from her elementary school in Woodstock April 8th and her remains were discovered July 19th in an area near the community of Mount Forest, about 95 kilometres north of Woodstock. Two days later OPP confirm that the human remains found were "positively identified" as those of Victoria Stafford.
Today Rodney Stafford stopped by Northgate Shopping Centre as part of his ‘Kilometres for Kids’ bicycle journey from Woodstock to Edmonton to raise money and awareness for Child Find Ontario in order to help prevent other families from having to go through the ordeal he has endured.
Stafford, who is grateful to the Holiday Inn Express chain including General Manager John Crescenzi for their support during the ride, says the ride is not only in benefit of Child find as it also allows him a chance for one more good-bye to his daughter before going headlong into what promises to be an emotional and truly disturbing trial.
Stafford says in his heart he knows at the end of the trial the penalty will not fit the crime. Noting that for all the pain and anguish Paul Bernardo caused the French and Mahaffy families and the people of Ontario in the end he only got a slap on the wrist.
“If you look at it there really is no justice that could be served that will cover what has been done,” he tells BayToday.
“If something like this happens to a child there should be no reason as to why these certain individuals should be allowed back on the streets for this lifetime at all.”
Stafford says given the chance to talk with Prime Minister Stephen Harper he would tell him to focus on protecting Canada’s future by investing in the protection of children instead of putting up buildings.
Michael Thomas C.S. Rafferty, 28, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, were arrested for the murder of Victoria Stafford and are awaiting trial.
Follow Stafford’s journey at www.eye-zon.com.
