The judgement in the obstruction of justice conviction of Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson has been adjourned until next Friday.
As Crown and defence this morning made their submissions in a New Westminster court room, the RCMP announced that Robinson is no longer a police officer.
The 42-year-old was convicted of obstruction of justice earlier this year for his actions following a fatal collision with a motorcyclist in Tsawwassen.
RCMP deputy commissioner Craig Callens announced that Robinson had submitted his voluntary discharge papers, which were signed this morning.
While I have been clear that I was seeking his involuntary dismissal, the opportunity to discharge him from the organization this morning was one which eliminated further delays, costs and uncertainty, Callens said in a news release.
Robinson was the subject of an internal code of conduct investigation.
Mr. Robinsons career with the RCMP has ended.
Robinson was charged following the Oct. 25, 2008 crash that killed Orion Hutchinson. The 21-year-old died after a collision between his motorcycle and Robinson's Jeep at about 10:15 p.m. at the corner of 6th Avenue and Gilchrist Drive.
Following the crash, Robinson left the scene with his children, leaving his driver's licence with a bystander, and walked to his home a couple of blocks away. After settling his children into bed, he went downstairs and drank two shots of vodka before returning to the scene of the crash.
During the trial, Robinson told the court he drank the vodka without thinking because it gave him comfort. An addictions specialist testified during trial that in 2008 Robinson was an alcoholic and his actions were consistent with someone suffering from alcohol dependence.
In March, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Janice Dillon found Robinson's actions deliberate and convicted the RCMP officer of obstruction of justice.
Crown prosecutor Kris Prechet is seeking a sentence of three to nine months in jail for Robinson, or a conditional sentence of 12 to 18 months.
During his submissions to the court, Prechet said that Robinson not only attempted to but successfully obstructed justice.
Mr. Robinson knew from the evidence in this case what the effect of his actions would be and he was indeed correct.
Defence lawyer David Crossin has asked for a three to six month conditional sentence for his client.
As part of his submission to the court, Crossin submitted a number of letters of support from Robinsons co-workers. One letter from the officer in charge of the Richmond detachment stated that Robinson was a well-respected member of this detachment and that the senior management team found hint o be a stellar performer and an asset to the organization.
That now has come to nothing and his fall from grace has been agonizingly slow, Crossin said, adding that the fall out from the case and the 2007 Tasering incident at YVR has rooted him in a kind of purgatory.
The court learned that since his conviction in March, Robinson has entered a residential addictions treatment facility. He is in the facilitys extended care program, which is expected to continue for another month. Crossin asked the judge to include the program as part of his clients conditions she chooses to impose a conditional sentence.
The Crown submitted several victim impact statements to the court and Orions father, Glenn Hutchinson, read his out.
He was such an amazing person, he said, adding he remembers holding his newborn son for hours on the day he was born.
When Orion was killed, I knew my life would be different, he said.
Hutchinson said he became mentally unbalanced and made several attempts to end his own life.
Right now, aside from being alive, I have nothing Today my thoughts go out to Mr. Robinsons children and all theyre dealing with.
Im told this moment will help my healing and Im prepared to accept whatever sentence the court decides.
When Robinson was given chance to address the court, his response could not be heard in the gallery. However, outside the courthouse Crossin said his client said he was exceedingly sorry for the loss of their son.
