TORONTO – Brady Robertson was sentenced to 17 years in prison, who on June 18, 2020 hit the SUV driven by Karolina Ciasullo who died along with her three girls Klara of six years, Liliana of four and Mila of just one year.
Robertson, 21, who has already spent time behind bars, will have 14 years and two months to serve. To be able to return to driving instead of years will have to pass twenty. For his part, the prosecutor had asked for a sentence of 23 years in prison and a ban on driving for life while the defense argued that seven years of imprisonment would be enough. Seven years just for snatching three girls and their 37-year-old mother from life.
The news of the terrible accident has also rebounded in Italy – Michael Ciasullo, Karolina’s husband is originally from Orsara, in the province of Foggia – arousing emotion and anger for the death of the young mother and her girls.
Robertson pleaded guilty to four counts of dangerous driving that caused death but pleaded not guilty to four counts of driving under the influence of intoxicating substances that caused death: his lawyers also challenged the constitutionality of Canadian law that sets a legal limit for the concentration of THC (the main psychotropic substance contained in cannabinoids) in the blood while driving.
Two days before the accident that mowed down the Ciasullo family, Robertson was seen driving the same car recklessly, literally out of control to the point that some passers-by tried to stop him.
Ontario Court Judge Sandra Caponecchia said that, about 45 minutes after the incident, Robertson had a blood THC concentration of 40 nanograms per milliliter of blood, which is eight times higher than the legal limit. The constitutional challenge was however rejected last month and, as a result, Robertson was found guilty of driving impaired by drug use. “You can’t talk about an accident because it’s anything but an accident, these are crimes – said Judge Caponecchia – crimes that are 100% avoidable if Mr. Robertson had had any regard for the life and safety of others”.
Last month, during the sentencing, Robertson apologized for his actions, saying he was “deeply tormented” by what he did. The young man said that he will feel guilty for the rest of his life and wants to take responsibility for his actions. “I wanted to end my life countless times, but it would have been a cowardly act – he said – I want to pay for what I did, I want to serve my sentence … This family deserves justice.”
