Damien Lawrence Taylor and his girlfriend, C.J. Fowler.
Image Credit: Contributed
June 24, 2016 - 3:52 PM
KAMLOOPS - The man found guilty of killing his 16-year-old pregnant girlfriend in Kamloops nearly four years ago will not be eligible for parole for another 12 years.
Damien Taylor, now 24, appeared in Kamloops Supreme Court today, June 24, for a hearing to determine parole eligibility. Crown prosecutor Alex Janse asked for 13-15 years before Taylor could be considered for parole, while defence lawyer Don Campbell asked for 10-12 years.
Taylor was found guilty by a jury last fall of murdering his girlfriend C.J. Fowler with a 40-pound cement pad.
Crown told the court Taylor was using a significant amount of drugs before Fowler was murdered. Evidence in the trial showed Taylor tried to cover up what he had done, by getting rid of Fowler's bus tickets, and attempting to destroy his bloody socks.
Fowler's mother Matilda read a victim impact statement to the court today, where she detailed how much Fowler's death impacted her family.
"I hit rock bottom when C.J. died. I was angry and depressed," Matilda read. "I will never get to see C.J. graduate from high school, I will never get to walk her down the aisle at her wedding."
Defence lawyer Don Campbell said the whole incident came back to Taylor and Fowler's heavy use of crystal meth.
"Were it not for the drug use... this event would not have happened," Campbell said.
Campbell focused on the loss Taylor experienced, repeatedly stating that Taylor had lost the love of his life.
"This has been a significant tragedy for Mr. Taylor," Campbell said. "Mr. Taylor lost the love of his life. The best thing that had ever happened to him."
Taylor spoke from the prisoner's dock today, offering an apology to Fowler's family.
"I will be taking this to my grave. I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused," Taylor said.
Janse fired back after Campbell wrapped up his submissions, saying it was inappropriate for a focus to be put on the loss that Taylor has suffered. She compared it to someone killing their parents, then saying "it's a mitigating factor that I'm an orphan now."
For more of our coverage on this case, go here.
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