A man from Saskatoon has pleaded guilty to charges of leaving hateful comments on a woman’s obituary. The incident, which occurred in May 2021, sparked outrage and prompted an investigation by the Saskatoon Police Service.
According to court documents, the accused, 29-year-old John Smith, left derogatory and offensive comments on the online obituary of a woman who had recently passed away. The comments were directed towards the deceased and her family, causing immense distress and pain.
Smith was charged with one count of mischief and one count of uttering threats. He appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to both charges. The Crown prosecutor is seeking a sentence of six months in jail, while the defense is requesting a conditional discharge.
The judge has reserved sentencing until a later date, but has ordered Smith to undergo a psychological assessment and to refrain from using social media until the case is resolved.
The victim’s family has expressed relief that the accused has taken responsibility for his actions and hopes that this will serve as a lesson to others who engage in online hate speech.
This case highlights the impact of hateful comments and the need for stricter consequences for those who engage in such behavior. It also serves as a reminder to think before posting online and to show respect and empathy towards others, especially during times of grief.
The Saskatoon Police Service has also reminded the public that hate speech is a criminal offense and will not be tolerated. They urge anyone who has been a victim of hate speech to come forward and report it.
As the case continues, the community is hopeful that justice will be served and that this incident will serve as a wake-up call to combat hate speech and promote kindness and compassion online.
