The mother of a slain 13-year-old girl is preparing to head back to court, to yet again face one of the people involved with the rape and murder of her daughter.
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear from prosecutors challenging 21-year-old Stephanie Bird’s manslaughter conviction for her role in the vicious 2005 slaying of Nina Courtepatte.
“We’re going to plow ahead and keep going at it until we win,” Peacha Atkinson said Thursday. “A fleeting moment of happiness is better than nothing.”
Bird is currently serving a 12-year sentence for her part in the crime. She was convicted of a lesser charge, after she claimed regret and left the scene before Nina took her last breath.
However, Courtepatte’s mother believes otherwise.
“She didn’t have a change of heart,” Atkinson said. “She has no remorse.”
Atkinson has sat through countless trials of those accused in Courtepatte’s murder. Two men were found guilty of first-degree murder, a then-teenage girl was found guilty of second-degree murder, and another man was acquitted.
Atkinson has planned a round dance on Oct. 3, the day that would have marked her daughter’s 18th birthday.
“It feels like it’s been longer than five years. We just want Nina to know that we still miss her and love her.”
