A prosecutor wants the man responsible for killing Anee Khudaverdian while he was drunk behind the wheel to be declared a dangerous offender.
Roger Walsh, a repeat drunk driver, slammed into the wheelchair-bound Khudaverdian last Oct. 23, on her 47th birthday, killing her instantly.
Walsh continued driving after hitting her, until he eventually lost control of his vehicle several kilometers away.
A lengthy criminal record
Since 1970, Walsh has been convicted of:
- 18 counts of impaired driving
- 25 counts of assault and aggravated assault
- 40 counts of theft, breaking and entering and mischief
- 1 drug charge
- 16 counts of breach of bail and parole violations
- 32 driving-related charges, including hit-and-runs
Family's reaction
Khudaverdian's family members were at the Valleyfield courthouse Tuesday for the sentencing arguments.
They want Walsh to face a harsh punishment, to set an example for tougher drunk-driving sentences.
"My daughter's death was in vain, and I don't want her blood to be thrown, just as she was thrown in a ditch," said Anee's mother, Sara Khudaverdian.
Lawyers' arguments
The prosecution wants Walsh to spend at least 20 years in prison, in addition to being declared a dangerous offender, because it has been shown that he cannot stop drinking.
Walsh's defence lawyer, Jacques Vinet, argued such a sentence would be extreme.
"I think it's going too far. I will plead something else to the judge," he said, adding that he believes a jail sentence of 10 years would be sufficient.
The judge will render a decision in September.
