'There needs to be justice': Family of B.C. girl calling for appeal following mother's acquittal in murder trial
Warning: Disturbing content
All over the walls and shelves at Steve Rosa’s Metro Vancouver home, the smiling face of his little girl beams out from dozens of framed photos.
“She was full of life. She was always on the go,” he said of Aaliyah Rosa. “She was loved by everybody.”
Rosa last saw the seven-year-old alive on July 22, 2018, when he dropped her off for a scheduled visit with her mother, Kerryann Lewis, who had two unsupervised visits a week with the little girl at the time. The child's body was found that evening at Lewis’s Langley apartment. On Sept. 3 of this year, a Supreme Court Justice acquitted Lewis of first-degree murder in her daughter’s death.
On Tuesday, Rosa spoke with CTV News Vancouver about the case, and shared his disappointment in the verdict.
“A lot of confusion and anger and shock when she said not guilty. I just couldn’t understand,” he said. “It brings me right back to day one.”
In her reasons for judgement, Justice Martha Devlin outlined how the little girl’s wet body, clothed in a pink bathrobe, shorts, and underwear, was found next to the ensuite bathtub. Devlin said the little girl had two drugs in her system, including Ativan, which was found in the apartment, and which Lewis filled an emergency prescription for that morning.
Devlin found as a fact Lewis gave drugs to her daughter, but did not find she planned to kill her.
“Another reasonable and plausible theory is that Ms. Lewis gave Aaliyah the drugs to to subdue or relax Aaliyah, in order to keep Aaliyah quiet while Ms. Lewis dealt with her own emotional distress,” Devlin said.
Devlin also found a defence theory regarding a pre-existing condition known as arrested hydrocephalus was a plausible factor that may have contributed to the little girl's death.
The court also heard Aaliyah had injuries to her head and neck. Devlin said there was no evidence showing how or when those occurred.
“The defence submits that the circumstantial evidence supports a reasonable and plausible theory that Aaliyah accidentally incurred a mild head trauma, which triggered a ‘vicious cycle’ of edema and cerebral swelling,” Devlin said, and added a possible scenario included Aaliyah losing her balance and falling into the bath due to the effect of the drugs, the effects triggered by the head injury, or both combined.
“While it may be shocking to think that Ms. Lewis would leave her own daughter lying on the bathroom floor upon discovering her in the water, without seeking assistance, that does not logically lead to the only reasonable conclusion, considering all of the evidence, being that Ms. Lewis drowned Aaliyah. There is no evidence from which I can conclude that Aaliyah was either alive or dead at the time Ms. Lewis found her in the water, and there are other reasonable and plausible inferences that can be drawn, such as panic, embarrassment or shame, or fear of false accusation.”
Rosa said he wants someone held accountable for his daughter’s death, and hopes to see an appeal of the verdict.
“I don’t want it to go away quietly, that’s for sure,” he said. “Something more needs to happen. There needs to be justice for Aaliyah.”
Thousands have now signed on to an online petition started by a family friend calling for an appeal in the case.
In a statement sent to CTV News, Aaliyah’s aunt Kim Rosa shared memories of her young niece, and her own call for justice.
“Even with the simplest things, her joy was genuine and contagious,” she wrote, adding Aaliyah always made her laugh and was full of energy, but still loved to snuggle. “Our entire legal system let Aaliyah down.”
Steve Rosa said the outcome of the case has affected everybody who loves Aaliyah.
“Everybody is definitely upset,” he said “A lot of people are very angry.”
The Cown has 30 days to file a notice of appeal. The BC Prosecution Service said it is reviewing the verdict, and no decision has been made yet.
Rosa said he is grateful for the work of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and prosecutors, and that getting justice for his daughter is “everything” to him.
“She’s not here anymore. She can’t speak for herself,” he said. “It’s just not fair.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Atlanta Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery, secure No. 1 overall pick
The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery on Sunday, landing the No. 1 pick and a potential cornerstone player in a year where there’s no clear-cut choice.