By Chad Klassen

Father of Jennifer Gatey says 10-month jail sentence is ‘not justice’

May 28, 2018 | 1:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — The father of Jennifer Gatey, who was killed in the hit and run in November 2016, does not think a 10-month jail sentence is justice. 

Cameron Gatey spoke to the media following Monday’s sentence at the Kamloops Courthouse and said it’s simply not enough for what 43-year-old Jason Gourlay did to his daughter. 

“I’m disappointed, of course. I guess the way I think about it is, I would ask you to pose to any reasonable person walking down the street whether or not they felt that was justice,” said Gatey. “I don’t think any reasonable person would think justice has been served today.”

WATCH: Chad Klassen’s full report on Jason Gourlay sentencing

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Jennifer Gatey was struck and killed on Nov. 4, 2016, while waiting for a bus near the corner of Pacific Way and Abbeyglen Way. In April, Gourlay pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene of an accident and destroying evidence.

Gourlay will only serve half of the 10-month sentence with 156 days given for time served. 

In her sentence, Justice Heather MacNaughton noted that Gourlay is “genuinely remorseful” for what he did. She added in the courtroom that based on letters of support Gourlay has good character and this is “unlikely to ever happen again.”

“He does not have a criminal record, nor does he have a serious record of motor vehicle infractions. He had a license and was insured,” she noted during her sentencing.

RAW VIDEO: Father Cameron Gatey speaks following sentencing

MacNaughton said a mitigating factor in the 10-month sentence was two separate assaults last year while Gourlay was in jail. The first happened on Mar. 10, 2017 when he suffered a fractured jaw and nasal bone, as well as a concussion. The other occurred on Apr. 26, 2017 at a Vancouver Island facility and Gourlay suffered another concussion. 

MacNaughton also mentioned the steps taken by Gourlay to spray down his Jeep in a car wash and switch the right signal light, the side Gatey was struck, to the left were less serious than other cases.

“Mr. Gourlay did not enlist others in his behaviour, he did not threaten in his effort to keep his involvement quiet. He did not lie to the police and falsely report the vehicle stolen. He did not take the vehicle to be professionally repaired and conceal the damage,” said MacNaughton. 

However, Gatey said the 10-month sentence sends the wrong message for anyone who thinks about leaving the scene of an accident.

“I think the message it sends is this is not viewed by the court as a serious crime,” he noted following the sentencing. “You can kill someone and you can leave the scene, you can obstruct justice by tampering with evidence, and eventually when you are caught and the evidence is put before you, you can enter into a plea deal.”

Gatey said the sentencing is closure for the family regardless, and now they can somewhat move on with their lives. 

“The closure is that it’s over, and I don’t ever have to come back and see Gourlay’s face again,” he said. “This won’t be part of my life anymore, and our family can get on with being a family again.”

Jennifer was supposed to graduate next month from South Kam. Cameron will be at the ceremony, but only to hand out a $2,500 bursary for a Grade 12 student planning to attend Thompson Rivers University.