An RCMP officer who was found guilty of obstructing justice in relation to a road accident that killed a young Tsawwassen motorcyclist will learn his punishment Friday (July 20).
Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson is scheduled for sentencing in New Westminster Supreme Court.
In October 2008 he was off duty and returning from a Halloween party when his Jeep collided with 21-year-old Orion Hutchinson's motorcycle at the intersection of 6th Ave. and Gilchrist Dr. After the crash, Robinson gave his driver's licence to a bystander and left the scene to walk his children home. When he returned, he told police he had downed two shots of vodka at home to calm his nerves.
During his eight-day trial this past February, a Crown witness revealed that, at a 2007 Christmas party, Robinson had given partygoers tips on how to beat a drunk driving charge.
The defense countered that Robinson had "severe" alcohol dependency at the time of the collision.
Orion's mother Judith spoke to the media after the guilty verdict was handed down in March, saying "this does not bring my son back, but there is definitely a sense of satisfaction just hearing that very strongly worded word 'guilty'". At the time Judith also added that she would like to see Robinson stripped of his RCMP badge.
An obstruction of justice conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, Crown prosecutor Kris Pechet told media in March.