CANADA • Zachary TURNER, 13 months old (2003) ~ Conception Bay NL

Bill sparked by N.L. toddler's killing given royal assent

ST. JOHN'S — Legislation tightening bail rules, sparked by the death of a toddler, was signed into law Wednesday seven years after a Newfoundland woman out on bail for murder drowned herself and her 13-month-old son.

Gov.-Gen. David Johnston gave royal assent to Bill C-464 — a private member's bill championed by the child's U.S. grandparents, David and Kate Bagby, who were incensed the Canadian legal system allowed Shirley Turner custody of the son she had with the man she was accused of killing.

Bill C-464 amends theCriminal Code to refuse bail to those charged with serious crimes when necessary to protect the safety of the public, specifically children under the age of 18.

It stems from the death of Zachary Turner, who was killed by his mother when she walked into the ocean with him near St. John's, drowning them both in 2003.
At the time, the ex-doctor was on bail, accused in the murder of Andrew Bagby,
Zachary's American father, and awaiting extradition to the U.S. to stand trial.
http://www.globalregina.com/world/Bill+sparked+toddler+killing+given+royal+assent/3992888/story.html

--------------------------------

On December 15, 2010, Governor General David Johnston gave Royal Assent to Bill C-464: An Act To Amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody), making it law in Canada.

The private member's bill was introduced by MP Scott Andrews of Newfoundland last fall after he saw "Dear Zachary" at a March 2009 screening in Ottawa and decided to do something about what he saw. The bill has added an amendment to
Canada's criminal code giving courts the right to refuse bail to someone charged with a serious crime who is deemed a potential danger to children under the age of 18.
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150329447910032&id=11595175475

-------------------------------------

For the first time in years, David Bagby and his wife Kate are decorating their home for Christmas. Since their son was murdered in 2001 and their
year-old grandchild was killed in Newfoundland in 2003, the California couple hasn't bothered decking the halls, but now they're celebrating a legal victory in the case.

Shirley Turner and her son Zachary, before they died in August 2003. (Canadian Press)

"With Andrew gone and then Zachary gone, we didn't give a damn about putting
up a Christmas tree or lights outside or any of that stuff," Bagby said from their home in Gilroy, about 30 kilometres south of San Jose.

This year is different. The couple's long fight for legal changes in Canada ended Wednesday with a new law. It changes the Criminal Code, allowing courts to refuse bail for suspects accused of serious crimes when an accused's child or children under the age of 18 may be in danger.

It could spare other families the rage and pain suffered by the couple since the murder of their grandson, Zachary, at the hands of his mother in Newfoundland. The youngster's death followed the killing of his father, Andrew Bagby — the couple's only child.

Please link to this article to read more on Zachary's life story. . .

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/12/18/nl-zachary-law.html#ixzz18ZRZXfyK

--------------------------------------------

Dear Zachary (2008) Movie Trailer