TORONTO (CC) – On May 12, 2003, Holly Jones was abducted from her home safe-zone. After a citywide plea for assistance, some time passed before her family found out of what happened to their beloved 10-year old.

Holly Jones was playing near her Toronto area home when she was abducted, later to be found dead. It’s unfortunate to know that her neighbourhood has always been a safe place for children to go about their daily activities. Everything has changed.

After nothing turned up of a citywide search, Michael Biere was found to be the man behind these ghastly acts. He was arrested June 20 of last year.

On the day of Holly’s disappearance, she was grabbed by the neck and dragged to Briere’s area-home.

The details following her initial abduction are horrifying: She was undressed, assaulted, murdered and stored in the refrigerator of Briere’s home.

On today’s date, Briere was sentenced to a prison term until no less than June 2028, at which point he will become eligible for parole.

In a speech Briere admits, “I have failed as a human being,” as he goes on, “for my actions which were cruel, inhuman and nightmarish, I do apologize.”

Holly’s mother sat in her seat, completely in tears, as her daughter’s killer was finally sentenced to life imprisonment after a year of patiently waiting for justice to finally come to the killer. Truly devastating.

The judge went on to say that the city was “profoundly shocked” as Toronto is “no longer easily shocked by crimes of violence.” Michael Briere pleaded guilty in the first degree murder of Holly Jones on June 17, 2004... three days shy of exactly one year after he was arrested.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, probably making it the home of Canada’s highest crime rates. But crimes such as rape, murder, gang violence and others are things we just come to get used to. As the judge said, people were extremely shocked by the kidnapping of Holly. This is absolutely something nobody can or ever will get used to.

The neighbourhoods of our family and children are effectively becoming riddled by more than just petty theft. Children across the country are becoming the victims of disheartening crimes. Holly Jones and Cecila Zhang are the latest and most prominent of Canada’s victims.

Canada should invoke heavier sentences to those who put our children in danger everyday. The reality, though, is that children must be kept ever so close to home. Child minders are expected, those who should be the most trusted.

It’s the new reality for our children. It’s very tragic and heart-breaking that Holly had to be the example set for tomorrow’s generation and today’s rising stars.





Statement by Michael Briere:

Your Honour,

I want to state that I fully recognize and acknowledge that the crime which I am guilty of is simply the worst kind of crime a person can commit.

What I did was absolutely wrong. It was cruel. It cannot be justified. It was meaningless and senseless. It was done out of selfishness. It was the act of a coward.

I take full responsibility for my actions. It was my fault. I also want to say that I bear no ill will to anyone here today. I have no anger towards the police, the Crowns or yourself, Your Honour.

I accept the sentence which you are about to give me. No one has ever stood in front of you who has been more deserving of such a sentence.

I accept this sentence because I fully realize the pain which I have caused. I realize that I must be punished for this terrible wrong that I have done. I also realize that society wants to be protected from me and my behaviour.

I have not pleaded guilty today simply because I am resigned to my fate or because I want to cut my losses.

I stand by my words when I told the police: "A man who commits this type of crime, you put him away, you put him away for good."

I take no pride in what I have done, the truth is I am ashamed beyond belief. I regret everything. I am so sorry. I really wish I could undo everything. I have failed as a human being.

Lastly, Your Honour, I want to state that for my actions which were cruel, inhuman and nightmarish, I do apologize.

Thank you Your Honour, that is all I have to say.