Case of juror seeking compensation as victim of crime goes to Appeal Court
TORONTO — The case of a woman who claims she should be recognized as a victim of crime because she developed post-traumatic stress disorder after serving as a juror in a horrific murder trial goes before Ontario’s top court on Tuesday.
The woman, who cannot be identified, was a juror in the trial of Michael Rafferty, who was convicted in 2012 of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford, of Woodstock, Ont.
The 57-year-old argues that she suffered psychological injury as a result of coming “face to face” with Rafferty’s horrific crimes and is seeking compensation as a victim of crime.
She first sought compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board — a tribunal that assesses financial compensation for victims and family of deceased victims of violent crimes in Ontario — but her application was dismissed. She then appealed to the Divisional Court, which also dismissed her case.