Manjit and Suman Virk, parents of murdered Reena Virk, at their home in Victoria, June 12, 2009.Deddeda Stemler For The Globe and Mail
Reena Virk's father says one of his teenaged daughter's killers could learn from the other, who has taken responsibility for his actions and been paroled this week as a result.
Warren Glowatski, 29, was released on full parole this week after being convicted of second-degree murder in the 1997 slaying of Reena, who was 14 when she was attacked and drowned under a Victoria-area bridge.
"It shows that when people show responsibility, they get more freedom so we hope he stays out of trouble," Manjit Virk said Friday in an interview from his Victoria home.
"Somebody like Kelly Ellard, on the other hand, should stay in because she has not taken any responsibility."
Ms. Ellard has faced trial three times in the case, and been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for seven years. She remains in custody.
Mr. Glowatski, who was 17 at the time of the killing, was granted day parole in 2007. Even with full parole, he will be subject to oversight for the rest of his life.
"As long as he lives, this tail is going to hang behind him," said Mr. Virk, who has met with Mr. Glowatski as part of a restorative justice program.
Mr. Virk said Mr. Glowatski is largely the master of his own fate.
"Everything will depend on him now - what he does from now on. He is given certain freedom and it now depends on how he uses it. If he uses this freedom in a responsible manner, he will continue to enjoy his life and do good but as soon as he goes back in his old ways, he should know what will happen to him.
"The biggest thing that will help him is if he keeps his associations really good; he stays around good people and stays busy with work and stuff and wholesome activities. I think he has a good chance to readjust to society."
Mr. Virk said he was familiar with reports that Mr. Glowatski said he hoped to assist in a planned film about the death of Reena, and that he would have no problem with such a contribution. "That's fine with us," he said.
Mr. Virk and his wife, Suman, have been in the Windsor area lately to watch The Holding Room, a play by high-school students that touches on aspects of Reena's story.
"It was very well done," Mr. Virk said. "Those kids have put their heart and soul into it."
Ian Bailey