As Crown and defence this morning made their submissions in B.C. Supreme Court in the sentencing of Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson, the RCMP announced that he is no longer a police officer.
Robinson, 42, 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. As a private citizen he is no longer subject to any disciplinary actions under the RCMP Act, however, he is still subject to the ongoing criminal matters, Callens said.
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. He told a Delta police officer he had two beers at a party earlier in the evening and then had two shots at home to calm his nerves.
Robinson later testified he had consumed five beers at the party but neglected to correct himself after telling the officer it was only two. 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.
Defence lawyer David Crossin has asked for a three to six month conditional sentence for his client.
