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Murdered teen forgotten amid animal cruelty outrage

Can’t help but feel that 15-year-old Justin Wendland’s death has not gotten enough attention by the community and the news.

Watching the news recently, I have noticed the community has so much more concern about animal cruelty than what happens to fellow humans around town.

I expect to see the same crowds in outrage outside the courthouse whenever Cory Daniel Barry has a court date (on May 18).

Sadly, there isn’t enough news coverage about it, and this crime could have happened to anyone of us. Justin’s death should have evoked such emotion and out-cry from all in the community. Anyone of us could have been the wrong person at that bus stop in Victoria.

It was a very disturbing crime and should at least make us take more interest into the care of mental health patients. How many more people are walking the streets that really should be kept safely in care?

The answer is too many. I see these people downtown every day. Cuts to the mental health care system and Barry having been released when he clearly wasn’t stable enough to be without care, are partially to blame here and no one seems stirred enough.

Is that why this news seems to be so sedated?

Justin we do miss you and our hearts go out to you and your family.

Cheers to justice for Justin and a bench in his memory placed at the bus stop. It’s the least we could do. 

Claudia Hendricks

Victoria