A Calgary courtroom filled with grief and anger on Wednesday as the family of nine-year-old Victoria Desjardin waited to hear the sentence for the man whose dangerous driving claimed her life on Boxing Day 2024.
But the wait continues. Despite hearing emotionally wrenching victim impact statements from more than a dozen family members and friends, the judge postponed sentencing for 31-year-old Duane Nepoose to a future date — a decision that has left the grieving family devastated by yet another delay in the criminal justice process.
A Mother's Anguish
The crash occurred near Macleod Trail and Southland Drive, leaving Victoria dead and her mother Amanda Reitmeier and sister critically injured. Reitmeier, who watched her daughter slip away while lying in a hospital bed unable to protect her remaining children, spoke directly to the court about the irreversible impact of the tragedy.
"I am broken. I am mad. I am sad. I am numb," Reitmeier told the court. "I will never forgive you. This was not an accident. This was a crime."
Victoria's grandfather shared his own burden of grief, telling the court that the sight of children playing together now triggers tears — a painful reminder of the future his granddaughter will never have.
A System That Favours Delay
The emotional toll of waiting extends beyond the courtroom. Kelsey Morash, a family friend and end-of-life specialist, expressed frustration at the repeated postponements, noting that the criminal justice system appears to be working against the family's healing process.
"We have been waiting for more than a year for this day and delay after delay after delay with no one taking into account the emotional wellbeing of this family," Morash said. "It does seem to favour the accused."
Nepoose pleaded guilty in June 2025 to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, three counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, robbery, and flight from police. The Crown is seeking a prison sentence between 8.5 and 9.5 years, but the defence has indicated the two sides remain far apart on sentencing recommendations.
No date has yet been set for the judge's sentencing decision, leaving Victoria's family in continued limbo as they struggle to move forward from one of Calgary's most heartbreaking tragedies.
This story was originally reported by Chad Twair for Global Calgary.