Family seeking swifter justice
The parents of an Edmonton man killed in 2015 say waiting for the court case for the U.S. citizen accused of murdering their son has been a “nightmare.”
“You never dream that this would happen to your child,” Angeline Demkiw said Monday outside the Edmonton courtroom where a bail hearing was being held for Jason Steadman, charged with first-degree murder and arson in connection to the death of her son, Dwayne Demkiw, 42.
The mother and her husband, Eugene Demkiw, travelled to Edmonton from Saskatoon for the hearing. Despite the expense and difficulty, the parents said they believe it’s important to be in court as advocates for their son.
Steadman, 43, is making an application for bail in Court of Queen’s Bench.
All arguments and evidence presented during the hearing are protected by a court-ordered publication ban.
Demkiw was last seen leaving his work as a limousine driver near 149 Street and 128 Avenue around 4 a.m. on May 31, 2015, police revealed at the time of his disappearance. His car was found on fire in Calgary hours later.
On April 5, 2016, investigators were called after human bones were discovered in a wooded area in Innisfail. Ten days later, those remains were identified as the missing man.
A warrant was eventually issued for Steadman’s arrest, and after he was taken into custody in Washington, a Seattle judge ordered him extradited to Canada.
Demkiw’s aunt, who was also his godmother, lives in central Alberta and took the day off work to support his parents at court Monday. She lives near the site where her nephew’s body was discovered, and said she visits it every few weeks.
One of the major difficulties for the family has been the wait: Steadman’s jury trial isn’t scheduled to begin until January 2019.
Demkiw’s family and several of their supporters sent letters to federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, pleading for the appointment of additional judges as a way to get the case to trial more quickly.
The bail hearing was expected to continue Tuesday.