Justice for Jessie - May the truth be told

NEWS RELEASE

We find it very frustrating and maddening that there are so many unknowns with what really happened that night.

We need to find out the truth so we can let Jessie go and rest in peace, and we the family can begin our healing process.

Jessie’s life was cut short at the young age of 22 and the person responsible for taking him from us has been released to sit in the comfort of his home when our Jessie will never be coming home.

This person will be able to celebrate Christmas holidays with his family while Jessie’s family has this horrible tragedy that has impacted our family in indescribable ways.

The impact of Jessie’s death has devastating effects on his younger siblings as his sister has stated “she wants to make a phone call to heaven, just to hear his voice one more time.”

His baby sister will never hear him say come here “Baby girl”.

How do you ease that pain?

How do you explain these events and the rationale to an eleven year old girl and ten year old boy that will never see their brother again?

The loss of Jessie is continuing to have a devastating impact on our entire family, friends and community.

We are very angry and need the truth.

We need closure to this horrible act.

We want to move beyond grief, anger and disbelief that this horrible nightmare is really happening.

The profound loss of security and confidence in the law is overwhelming.

How can people get away or live with such a cold hearted act.

In response to the information contained in the Ontario Provincial Police’s recent press release, our family is very upset with the way the investigation has concluded and the end result.

We feel the charges laid are grossly unrepresentative of the action(s), especially when the result is a loss of a precious life.

Why does it seem like the person responsible for Jessie’s death is being given special treatment while Jessie (being the victim) has been punished to the greatest extent possible?

What happened to morals, values and ethics where people told the truth and took ownership of their actions?

Our family teachings included many values like respecting our Elders, helping our neighbors, telling the truth and owning up to what you do as an individual.

Yet in society and the law, these seem to be skewed whereby if you lie and keep the truth hidden there are no consequences to you.

As a family we cannot help but wonder why it is like this and if the roles were reversed what the outcome would be?

We understand this man will have to spend the remaining years of his life knowing and keeping to himself the truth of what really happened that night.

However, we feel more regret and sorrow for Jessie’s brother and sister that he will not be around at special occasions or on a daily basis to help with the little things in life or just to be there for his family.

We feel as a family this entire process is a travesty and misrepresentation of justice.

In conclusion, the Roach family is demanding justice for Jessie.

The Roach Family will be holding a Public Statement at the scene of the fatality located on Highway 17B (500 metres west of Bell's Point Road), Monday, November 11th at 9 a.m.

The public and media are encouraged to attend this demonstration.

Background Information – Jessie James Roach

For the past seven years, Jessie lived with his Auntie Laurie and helped raise his little brother and sister.

When we look back at Jessie’s life, we remember him as being a busy little boy playing hockey with mini-sticks shouting down the hallway “scores” then settling down for his bedtime snack.

He loved collecting frogs and snakes with his younger cousins following his lead and making forts in the backyard bush.

Jessie grew into a very athletic, young man who loved competitive sports.

Jessie started skating on an outdoor rink in the community with his friends, then went on to play organized hockey.

Jessie had a passion and skill for basketball and football.

He was selected to the Aboriginal Team Ontario in Basketball where he played in Colorado at the Indigenous Games and did exceptionally well.

In 2008, Jessie also went to London Ontario for the OSAA - 4x100 relay run, representing White Pines High School.

Our family has so many fond and precious memories of Jessie.

Jessie’s life was just starting to come together as he grew into a young man with such an inspiring outlook on life.

One of his plans was to return to school in Sudbury with his friend.

Very dear to his heart was his little brother Hayven(10) and sister Janessa(11) and he made it his goal and mission to help take care of and be a positive role model for them.

Jessie was a tall young handsome man (6’3”) with the biggest heart ever.

Jessie had many friends who can all attest to his great character and dedicated friendship.

He was a special person that people enjoyed talking to and being around, he was great company and had an excellent demeanor and attitude towards life in general.

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