'Amanda got justice': Dutch man accused in B.C. teen sextortion case found guilty on all charges
A Dutch man has been found guilty on all five counts related to the online sextortion of British Columbia teen Amanda Todd.
Aydin Coban was convicted of extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography
The verdict was handed down in B.C. Supreme Court Saturday, less than 24 hours after the jury began deliberations. The trial lasted nearly two months and took place over a decade after Todd died by suicide in 2012 at the age of 15.
“My body went into temporary shock,” said Amanda's mother Carol, describing how she felt when hearing the verdict. “There’s been so many disappointments along the road, right? To hear five 'guilties' – it was like, Amanda got justice.”
Todd’s death followed a video she posted online wherein she described being tormented by a harasser. The video, seen by millions of viewers since her death, saw her use flash cards to describe her experience with the anonymous cyberbully. The cry for help and Todd’s subsequent death shone a light on the issue of online harassment.
“This is a monster who practices his terror without weapons,” said legal expert Ari Goldkind. “He uses the internet, uses cyber-bullying as his method and it cost people lives.”
Coban’s lawyers expressed disappointment with the verdict.
“This is not what we hoped for or expected,” said Joe Saulnier, Coban’s lead counsel. “So we’ll speak to our client. An appeal is a possibility.”
Todd’s mother hopes the trial results in a landmark precedent.
“It’s time for ‘sextortion’ to be written into the criminal code,” said Carol Todd. “So our families and our kids can be safer.”
Coban was extradited to Canada in late 2020 after he faced a trial in the Netherlands on similar allegations. He was convicted of fraud and internet blackmail and given the maximum sentence of 10 years and eight months. Dutch legal authorities described the sentence as “the devastating consequences of his behaviour” on the lives of his dozens of victims.
Carol Todd says the victory in court marked the happiest she’s felt in the 10 years since losing her daughter, but that her hard work and healing is far from over.
“It’s not closure,” she said. “It’s just another chapter that has been completed. But Amanda’s legacy lives on.”
Carol Todd says she’ll continue sharing her daughter’s story in order to raise awareness on the seriousness of cyberbullying and “sextortion.”
A sentencing date is expected to be announced on the morning of Aug. 11.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.