Friends testify at Maple Ridge house party trial
Posted February 15, 2012 7:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – The sad final hours of a 16-year-old girl’s life in are being recalled in BC Supreme Court. Several of Shannon Raymond’s friends have testified today.
It’s been three years since the teen died at the home of a friend in Maple Ridge, but the details still bring tears to the eyes of those friends who partied with Shannon on her final night.
Now young adults, they have recounted some painful memories, like a final phone call that ended with “I love you, goodbye,” and the parting image of a wasted friend being carried to a bedroom to sleep it off.
Court has been told that Shannon had taken ecstasy for the first time, while the teens were riding on a party bus organized by another girl.
The testimony has been hurtful for the victim’s family. Shannon’s mother says her daughter had not been drinking, though many other teens partying on the bus had been consuming alcohol that evening.
Raymond said a toxicologist testified on Monday that there was no alcohol in Shannon’s system. However, her sodium level was very low, and a person can appear to be drunk if they do not have enough salt in their system.
“Shannon lived life to the fullest without any regrets,” said Julie Raymond. “She knew what it was like to live.”
There were several adults and teens at Turley’s home the night Shannon died. Raymond is left wondering why no one called 911.
“Again, everyone had a piece in that puzzle. All somebody had to do was just to speak up, and three digits, and Shannon would still be with us today.”
Victoria Turley is on trial for failing to provide the necessities of life, a criminal charge that is rarely used. Shannon died in Turley’s home in October, 2008.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
