Warning: This story contains disturbing content
NEW WESTMINSER, British Columbia: Prosecutors in the trial of a man accused of cyberbullying involving Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, teenage Amanda Todd told the court in an introductory statement that the 15-year-old boy was the victim online blackmail.
On Monday, Dutch citizen Aydin Coban stood in a courtroom in New Westminster and pleaded not guilty to five counts, including extortion, child molestation, harassment and possession of child pornography.
Before her death from suicide in 2012, Amanda Todd posted a video online outlining allegations of harassment and extortion.
Crown lawyer Louise Kenworthy told the court that their theory was a “sexual extortionist” who received explicit images of Todd revealing her breasts and a hand tucked into her underwear, and tried to use the material to seduce the teenager. to perform sexual acts online. Kenworthy said he allegedly used 22 different usernames and accounts to try to blackmail Todd, including on Facebook, Skype, YouTube and email.
“We intend to determine that all 22 user accounts were created by the same person,” Kenworthy said.
Kenworthy shared examples of messages that Crown claims were sent to Todd when she was between 12 and 15 years old. She told the court that there were reports threatening to make public Todd’s public images if she did not agree to make pornographic shows on webcam.
In one example, which is said to be the crown of 2009, Todd was asked to “give me your Skype or I’ll send this video to the whole Todd family.”
Kenworthy also shared messages that Crown claims were exchanged with Todd via Skype in 2010.
Todd: “What do I have to do to not show anyone”
Sender: “Once a week we do fun things on camera is everything”
Kenworthy also shared examples of messages Crown claims were sent to Todd’s family, her high school and hundreds of others on Facebook, with links to the explicit content.
Kenworthy told the court that Crown claimed that the sexist had used other accounts to try to make friends with Todd and gather information about her.
Kenworthy said he expects the court to hear Todd change schools in early 2011.
She also shared a message that Crown claims was sent to Todd via Facebook in the fall of 2011, which partly reads: “I didn’t send the video last time because I liked how you whine, but as you know, I have your new school , new classmates … You will go through exactly the same thing or you can give me three shows and I will disappear forever. You know I won’t stop until you give me these three shows. If you go to a new school, a new BF, new friends, anything new, I will be there again. ”
THE MOTHER OF TESTIMONY
Todd’s mother, Carol, was the first witness called to testify and told the court how her daughter was interested in cheerleading, art and singing, and also spent time on social media. Carol Todd said the teenager took voice lessons and dreamed of being known as Justin Bieber. She told the court that her daughter had also uploaded videos of her singing.
She testified about how she received a message about her daughter from someone she didn’t know on Facebook in December 2010, which included a link to a topless image of her daughter on an adult porn site.
“I clicked on it and saw what it was,” she told the court. “And I think my heart jumped.”
She told the court she took a screenshot and printed it with the intention of contacting police, who showed up at her door later that evening to conduct a security check on a report of something online. Todd’s mother testified that she told them that her daughter was at her father’s house and gave the printed image to police. She told the court that a plan had been made for the family to meet with police in the new year to discuss what was happening.
However, she told the court that the problem persists.
“With each message she received, her suffering increased,” Todd’s mother said. “Because at that time she felt that she was being followed, being persecuted by someone who was a stranger.”
Speaking out of court, Carol Todd said “many, many years” had passed in anticipation of the trial.
“For me, this is that Amanda can share her voice. She made it happen, “she said.” I’m amazed because the day has finally come. “
Carol Todd said she also hopes to share awareness and education with other parents “to talk to their children”.
“Last night I watched her video on YouTube again and it was heartbreaking to see everything she went through,” she said. “She wanted something done. And that’s why we’re here today – justice for Amanda.
Todd’s mother also wore a snowflake pendant around her neck to symbolize her daughter’s uniqueness and the strength to come together to have a bigger voice.
Koban was first indicted in 2014 and later extradited to Canada. The defense has not yet presented its thesis. Coban’s lawyer Joe Solnier told the media that it was too early to say whether Coban could testify, but asked the public to remain open about his client.
“There is no doubt that Amanda Todd has been the victim of many crimes,” he said. “This case is about who’s behind it.”
He added that Koban had waited a long time for the trial to begin and “expects to finally spend his day in court on these charges”.
“There are a lot of emotions in these accusations, and I know the public probably wants blood,” Solnier said. “This case is about whether the Crown can prove who is behind the messages.”
The trial is scheduled for seven weeks.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources available.
Suicide Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-833-456-4566)
Center for Addictions and Mental Health (1,800 463-2338)
Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645)
Helpline for children (1-800-668-6868)
If you need immediate help, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
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