The family of deceased Penhold longboarder Trystan Sorensen is frustrated with the Canadian justice system's inability to stop Jessica Lynn Masyk's dangerous behaviour.
Masyk, 25, has been arrested three times since the May 21 late evening hit-and-run death of 18-year-old Trystan Sorensen west of Penhold on Highway 592. She has been charged will 24 Criminal Code offences – including those in connection to Sorensen's death – that range from possession of stolen property to harbouring a fugitive in incidents dating from April 14 to Aug. 17.
“I am trying not be angry with the justice system and their not dealing with Masyk's charges,” said Amy Sorensen, mother of the late skateboarder who continues to attend court dates relating to Masyk. “After my son's death, she was released into the public again.”
However, Masyk was remanded into custody on Aug. 20 to ensure she would appear in Red Deer provincial court on Aug. 27, and again on Sept. 15.
The mother admitted she was pleased Masyk was finally in custody, at least for the time being, but was not confident Masyk would continue to be held after the mid-September court date.
The Penhold resident has had a tumultuous history with run-ins with the law since last April when her operator's license was revoked.
The May 21 hit-and-run accident resulted in three Criminal Code charges, including failure to remain on the scene of a collision in which a person dies, public mischief and driving while suspended.
On June 12, 14, and 16, Masyk was again stopped by RCMP and she was charged with for possession of stolen property under and over $5,000 offences, as well as two charges of possession of a controlled substance, harbouring a fugitive, and two breaches of condition, said an Alberta Justice official.
As well, Masyk was again charged with not reporting to the RCMP over the phone, and was caught behind the wheel of a vehicle while suspended and charged with driving without authorization on July 14.
Masyk appeared in Red Deer provincial court on Aug. 5, and was granted bail.
On Aug. 17, Masyk and Red Deer's Daniel Edward Apetrea were apprehended in the city's Highland Green neighbourhood after the vehicle she was a passenger in allegedly rammed a police cruiser and escaped through a parking lot, striking other parked vehicles before hitting a tree. The pair escaped but Masyk and the driver were soon captured without incident, said a RCMP news release.
Following her arrest for the Highland Green incident, Masyk was charged with assault on a police officer with a weapon, two counts of possession of stolen property, and flight from police. Apetrea, meanwhile, faces the same charges, along with three additional offences, related to dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
On Aug 20, Masyk was denied bail. She was ordered by Red Deer provincial court to be held in custody until Sept. 15 when her case, including the fatal Sorensen hit and run file will be heard plea and election.
Masyk also faces court on Aug. 27 for four more charges stemming from the mid-July incident.
Meanwhile, as Sorensen continues to deal with the personal fallout from her son's passing and court related stresses, her son Harry Midgely has begun a change.org petition directed to federal Justice Minister Peter Gordon MacKay. Midgely is asking for mandatory penalties for all hit and run incidents, more severe penalties in cases that result in death or major injury and restrictions on judicial delays.
“We started the petition as a result of the continued court delays related to Trystan's passing,” said Sorenson. “Since then, there have been many comments on the proceedings, and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Canada is going to help us reach the required 100,000 signatures. I may not be able to help Trystan anymore, but perhaps we can stop any future deaths.”
